(1) We are doing our best with the limited resources available.
(2) This offer is for a limited period only.
(3) They may only have a limited amount of time to get their points across...

(1) Such delegation frees managers to focus on more important issues.
(2) Puritan women expected to submit to their husbands and to focus on homemaking as their career.
(3) Who knows! I can focus on anything right now. Thanks to you!

(1) a baby's development in the womb
(2) the development of basic skills such as literacy and numeracy
(3) career development

(1) They haven't formally announced their engagement yet.
(2) The government yesterday announced to the media plans to create a million new jobs.
(3) (figurative)A ring at the doorbell announced Jack's arrival.

(1) We work every day except Sunday.
(2) They all came except Matt.
(3) I had nothing on except for my socks.

(1) Our house is worth about £100 000.
(2) How much is this painting worth?
(3) to be worth a bomb/packet/fortune (= a lot of money)

(1) There is a limit to the amount of pain we can bear.
(2) The team performed to the limit of its capabilities.
(3) She knew the limits of her power.

(1) He has employed one of the UK's top lawyers to defend him.
(2) (politics 政)He intends to defend his seat in the next election.
(3) She will be defending her title at next month's championships.

(1) The child is developing normally.
(2) The place has rapidly developed from a small fishing community into a thriving tourist resort.
(3) She developed the company from nothing.

(1) the greatest scientific achievement of the decade
(2) It was a remarkable achievement for such a young player.
(3) They were proud of their children's achievements.

(1) a male bird
(2) All the attackers were male, aged between 25 and 30.
(3) a male nurse/model/colleague

(1) Headaches may be a sign of stress.
(2) There is no sign of John anywhere.
(3) Call the police at the first sign of trouble.

(1) I didn't give Reid all the details yet — I'll fill him in...
(2) He filled her in on Wilbur Kantor's visit.
(3) Vice-presidents' wives would fill in for first ladies.

(1) This technology is bang up to date (= completely modern) .
(2) up-to-date clothes
(3) up-to-date equipment

(1) a honeymoon in a secret location
(2) What is the exact location of the ship?
(3) A mountain in the Rockies became the location for a film about Everest.

(1) He has run out of food; his children are hungry.
(2) A few of the jeeps had run out of ammunition.
(3) The performing group began well, but seemed to run out of steam halfway through the year.

(1) He had finally achieved success.
(2) They could not achieve their target of less than 3% inflation.
(3) I haven't achieved very much today.

(1) The problem won't just disappear.
(2) Our countryside is disappearing at an alarming rate.
(3) I can never find a pen in this house. They disappear as soon as I buy them.

(1) More females than males are employed in the factory.
(2) Two of the candidates must be female.
(3) a female cat

(1) We will go even if it rains.
(2) even if It'should rain tomorrow, we will continue our work.
(3) I wouldn't lose courage even if I should fail ten times.

(1) She was in a relaxed, confident mood.
(2) The teacher wants the children to feel confident about asking questions when they don't understand.
(3) I'm confident that you will get the job.

(1) The city is best explored on foot.
(2) They explored the land to the south of the Murray river.
(3) As soon as we arrived on the island we were eager to explore.

(1) His new book will be appearing in the spring.
(2) It was too late to prevent the story from appearing in the national newspapers.
(3) He has appeared in over 60 movies.

(1) The visiting professor was cocktailed, partied and dined.
(2) Once upon a time in a faraway land there lived a princess in a big castle.
(3) Instead of working hard at her lessons, Mary spends her time building a castle in the air.

(1) Now we'll be able to live in luxury for the rest of our lives.
(2) to lead a life of luxury
(3) a luxury hotel

(1) renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar power
(2) a renewable lease
(3) The work permit is not renewable.

(1) a cosy little room
(2) a cosy feeling
(3) I felt warm and cosy sitting by the fire.

(1) ‘Couldn't you have just said no? ’ ‘Well, hardly, (= of course not) she's my wife's sister. ’
(2) You can hardly expect her to do it for free.
(3) It's hardly the time to discuss it now.

(1) Most domestic freezers operate at below –18˚C.
(2) Solar panels can only operate in sunlight.
(3) (figurative)Some people can only operate well under pressure.

(1) They decorated the room with flowers and balloons.
(2) The cake was decorated to look like a car.
(3) I hate decorating.

(1) announcements of births, marriages and deaths appear in some newspapers.
(2) announcement of the verdict was accompanied by shouts and cheers.
(3) to make an announcement

(1) Her mother lived in a nearby town.
(2) There were complaints from nearby residents.
(3) They live nearby.

(1) Speech is the fastest method of communication between people.
(2) All channels of communication need to be kept open.
(3) Doctors do not always have good communication skills .

(1) Her words impressed themselves on my memory.
(2) He impressed on us the need for immediate action.
(3) It impressed me that she remembered my name.

(1) the area where the market was anciently held (= in ancient times)
(2) an ancient oak tree
(3) ancient monuments

(1) in the future the machines will need spare parts and maintenance.
(2) He believes food prices will go up in the future.
(3) I made a silent vow to be more careful in the future.

(1) a local farmer
(2) A local man was accused of the murder.
(3) Our children go to the local school.

(1) Functions : lower the blood pressure and blood fat, prevent from cardiovascular diseases.
(2) Put on rain boot when washing floor, to prevent from slipping down.
(3) To move in a and stable condition and prevent from damage by laborer.

(1) adventure stories
(2) a sense/spirit of adventure
(3) her adventures travelling in Africa

(1) our main/major competitor
(2) Over 200 competitors entered the race.
(3) Herbert Blocker of Germany, one of the oldest competitors, won the individual silver medal.