30 to point the finger at someone → see finger
31 a sore point → see sore
▸ point out
1 PHRASAL VERB If you point out an object or place, you make people look at it or show them where it is. □ [V n P ] They kept standing up to take pictures and point things out to each other. □ [V P n] They'd already driven along the wharf so that she could point out her father's boat.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you point out a fact or mistake, you tell someone about it or draw their attention to it. □ [V P that] I should point out that these estimates cover just the hospital expenditures. □ [V P n] We all too easily point out our mothers' failings. [Also V n P ] SYNONYMS point NOUN
1
message: I think they got the message that this is wrong.
subject: It was I who first raised the subject of plastic surgery.
question: But the whole question of aid is a tricky political one.
4
purpose: The purpose of the occasion was to raise money for medical supplies.
aim: …a research programme that has largely failed to achieve its principal aims.
goaclass="underline" The goal is to raise as much money as possible.
objective: His objective was to play golf and win. VERB 15
aim: He was aiming the rifle at Wade.
leveclass="underline" They levelled guns at one another.
direct: He directed the tiny beam of light at the roof.
poi nt-and-cli ck ADJ Point-and-click refers to the way a computer mouse can be used to do things quickly and easily on a computer. [COMPUTING ] □ …a simple point-and-click interface.
poi nt-bla nk
1 ADV [ADV after v] If you say something point-blank , you say it very directly or rudely, without explaining or apologizing. □ The army apparently refused point blank to do what was required of them. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Point-blank is also an adjective. □ …a point-blank refusal.
2 ADV [ADV after v] If someone or something is shot point-blank , they are shot when the gun is touching them or extremely close to them. □ He fired point-blank at Bernadette. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Point-blank is also an adjective. □ He had been shot at point-blank range in the back of the head.
point|ed /pɔ I nt I d/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is pointed has a point at one end. □ …a pointed roof. □ …pointed shoes.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Pointed comments or behaviour express criticism in a clear and direct way. □ I couldn't help but notice the pointed remarks slung in my direction. ● point|ed|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ They were pointedly absent from the news conference.
point|er /pɔ I ntə r / (pointers )
1 N‑COUNT A pointer is a piece of advice or information which helps you to understand a situation or to find a way of making progress. □ I hope at least my daughter was able to offer you some useful pointers.
2 N‑COUNT A pointer to something suggests that it exists or gives an idea of what it is like. [mainly BRIT ] □ [+ to ] Sunday's elections should be a pointer to the public mood.
3 N‑COUNT A pointer is a long stick that is used to point at something such as a large chart or diagram when explaining something to people. □ She tapped on the world map with her pointer.
4 N‑COUNT The pointer on a measuring instrument is the long, thin piece of metal that points to the numbers.
point|ing /pɔ I nt I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Pointing is a way of filling in the gaps between the bricks or stones on the outside of a building so that the surface becomes sealed. □ He did the pointing in the stonework himself.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Pointing is the cement between the bricks or stones in a wall.
point|less /pɔ I ntləs/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that something is pointless , you are criticizing it because it has no sense or purpose. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Violence is always pointless. □ …pointless arguments. ● point|less|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Chemicals were pointlessly poisoning the soil. ● point|less|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] You cannot help wondering about the pointlessness of it all.
poi nt of o r|der (points of order ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] In a formal debate, a point of order is an official complaint that someone makes because the rules about how the debate is meant to be organized have been broken. [FORMAL ] □ A point of order was raised in parliament by Mr Ben Morris.
poi nt of re f|er|ence (points of reference ) N‑COUNT A point of reference is something which you use to help you understand a situation or communicate with someone. □ Do we still have any fixed point of reference in the teaching of English?
poi nt of sa le (points of sale )
1 N‑COUNT The point of sale is the place in a shop where a product is passed from the seller to the customer. The abbreviation POS is also used. [BUSINESS ]
2 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Point of sale is used to describe things which occur or are located or used at the place where you buy something. The abbreviation POS is also used. [BUSINESS ] □ …point-of-sale advertising.
poi nt of vie w ◆◇◇ (points of view )
1 N‑COUNT [oft with poss] You can refer to the opinions or attitudes that you have about something as your point of view . □ Thanks for your point of view, John. □ Try to look at this from my point of view.