(1) The committee has little or no understanding of the problem.
(2) The existence of God is beyond human understanding (= humans cannot know whether God exists or not) .
(3) We finally came to an understanding about what hours we would work.

(1) the writer's imaginative empathy with his subject
(2) empathy for other people's situations
(3) Having begun my life in a children's home I have great empathy with the little ones.

(1) She sounded relieved.
(2) You'll be relieved to know your jobs are safe.
(3) I'm just relieved that nobody was hurt.

(1) Give the tube of toothpaste a squeeze.
(2) DEG in toothpaste has a low but meaningful risk of toxicity and injury to these populations.
(3) Let me see, poison toothpaste, poison dog food, human rights violations.

(1) a ham actor
(2) a radio ham
(3) a slice of ham

(1) They can't even say "good morning" or pass the time of day.
(2) Without particular interest and just to pass the time, I read a story.
(3) Although I spoke to him a number of times, it was only to pass the time of day.

(1) The assistant carried on talking...
(2) Rachael Carr intends to carry on teaching...
(3) The consulate will carryon a political dialogue with Indonesia...

(1) steam rose from the boiling kettle.
(2) the introduction of steam in the 18th century
(3) steam power

(1) mountain streams
(2) A stream of blood flowed from the wound.
(3) I've had a steady stream of visitors.

(1) I work in this new hairdresser's.
(2) hairdresser: How would you like it cut, sir?
(3) The hairdresser gave her hair a modest tinting.

(1) Thank you. Now we'd like to have some good Italian spaghetti.
(2) Macaroni tastes different from spaghetti.
(3) If you are in a hurry, I would recommend the spaghetti or shredded chicken fried rice.

(1) Do wolves belong to the canine species?
(2) He did not belong to his set of friends.
(3) Under federal law, the lands under navigable waters belong to states.

(1) Life in a small town could be deadly dull.
(2) The first half of the game was pretty dull.
(3) There's never a dull moment when John's around.

(1) Southeast conference football champions
(2) The hotel is used for exhibitions, conferences and social events.
(3) a conference room/centre/hall

(1) Take the escalator on your right.
(2) Manage complete jig in escalator factory, and compile operation manual and maintenance instruction about jig.
(3) Go downstairs through Exit B; turn around and take the escalator downstairs.

(1) a pile of clean/dirty laundry
(2) a laundry basket/room
(3) to do the laundry

(1) Don't you want to hang out with cut - out dolls?
(2) This is what happens when you hang out with jerks like him!
(3) Why don't you hang out with the rest of the ex - guards that are locked up here?

(1) I'm exhausted!
(2) to feel completely/utterly exhausted
(3) The exhausted climbers were rescued by helicopter.

(1) It's on the fifth floor, so we'd better take the elevator.
(2) Please use the next elevator.
(3) So what better place than their elevator?

(1) Can I have a receipt, please?
(2) to make out (= write) a receipt
(3) to acknowledge receipt of a letter

(1) It comforted her to feel his arms around her.
(2) She comforted herself with the thought that it would soon be spring.
(3) The victim's widow was today being comforted by family and friends.

(1) armed robbery (= using a gun, knife, etc.)
(2) There has been a spate of robberies in the area recently.
(3) The gang members committed dozens of armed robberies...

(1) in that case he and she must have plotted this together.
(2) in that case, I'll go.
(3) in that case, we won't wait any longer.

(1) Could I have your autograph?
(2) The whole team has autographed a football, which will be used as a prize.
(3) He went backstage and asked for her autograph...

(1) (British English)a caring profession (= a job that involves looking after or helping other people)
(2) He's a very caring person.
(3) Children need a caring environment.

(1) Let's have a takeaway tonight.
(2) ...a Chinese takeaway.
(3) He never cooks and always eats out or has a takeaway.

(1) We've put down a 5% deposit on the house.
(2) They normally ask you to pay £100 (as a) deposit.
(3) to pay a deposit

(1) The government has declared a state of emergency following the earthquake.
(2) This door should only be used in an emergency .
(3) the emergency exit (= to be used in an emergency)

(1) Nobody mentioned anything to me about it.
(2) Sorry, I won't mention it again.
(3) Now that you mention it , she did seem to be in a strange mood.

(1) Despite his unconventional methods, he has inspired pupils more than anyone else.
(2) There may be alternative methods of substantiation other than written records.
(3) Traditional slash and burn farming methods have exhausted the soil.

(1) This land is ripe for development.
(2) The conditions were ripe for social change.
(3) Reforms were promised when the time was ripe .

(1) a calf/neck/thigh muscle
(2) to pull/tear/strain a muscle
(3) This exercise will work the muscles of the lower back.

(1) This beautiful old building has been restored to its former glory .
(2) the former world champion
(3) my former boss/colleague/wife

(1) Parallel lines will never meet no matter how far extended.
(2) no matter how often they turn up, their welcome never wears out.
(3) Any dog bite, no matter how small, needs immediate medical attention.

(1) a fascinating story/subject
(2) The results of the survey made fascinating reading.
(3) It's fascinating to see how different people approach the problem.

(1) I filled the kettle while she was talking and plugged it in.
(2) Well then, I'll put the kettle on and make us some tea.
(3) I'll put on the kettle for tea. Or boil up some coffee.

(1) (British English)vanilla essence
(2) (North Amercian English)vanilla extract
(3) (British English)a vanilla pod

(1) Eating spinach is supposed to make you strong.
(2) The spinach is shrivelled up.
(3) You should eat such vegetables as carrot, celery and spinach.

(1) I'd like a room a nice view a balcony.
(2) Scenic view balcony, multiple window design, unique den in small apartment, etc.
(3) Grain in Ear Festival today, and I enjoy the balcony with its own beans planted vegetables.

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