➋ too ◆◆◆ /tuː /
→ Please look at categories 6 to 8 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 ADV [ADV adj/adv] You use too in order to indicate that there is a greater amount or degree of something than is desirable, necessary, or acceptable. □ Leather jeans that are too big will make you look larger. □ Eggs shouldn't be kept in the fridge, it's too cold. □ She was eating too much and having too many late nights.
2 ADV [ADV adj] You use too with a negative to make what you are saying sound less forceful or more polite or cautious. [VAGUENESS ] □ I wasn't too happy with what I'd written so far. □ He won't be too pleased to see you.
3 PHRASE You use all too or only too to emphasize that something happens to a greater extent or degree than is pleasant or desirable. [EMPHASIS ] □ She remembered it all too well. □ The letter spoke only too clearly of his anxiety for her.
4 too bad → see bad
5 none too → see none
took /tʊ k/ Took is the past tense of take .
tool ◆◇◇ /tuː l/ (tools )
1 N‑COUNT A tool is any instrument or simple piece of equipment that you hold in your hands and use to do a particular kind of work. For example, spades, hammers, and knives are all tools. □ I find the best tool for the purpose is a pair of shears.
2 → see also machine tool
3 N‑COUNT You can refer to anything that you use for a particular purpose as a particular type of tool . □ The computer has become an invaluable teaching tool.
4 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a tool of a particular person, group, or system, you mean that they are controlled and used by that person, group, or system, especially to do unpleasant or dishonest things. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] He became the tool of the security services.
5 PHRASE If you say that workers down tools , you mean that they stop working suddenly in order to strike or to make a protest of some kind. [BRIT ]
6 PHRASE The tools of your trade or the tools of the trade are the skills, instruments, and other equipment that you need in order to do your job properly. □ These organisations use bugging and tapping as everyday tools of their trade. COLLOCATIONS tool NOUN 3
noun + tool : bargaining, management, marketing, propaganda; software
adjective + tool : diagnostic, educational, motivational, online; effective, powerful, useful
tool|bar /tuː lbɑː r / (toolbars ) N‑COUNT A toolbar is a narrow grey strip across a computer screen containing pictures, called icons, which represent different computer functions. When you want to use a particular function, you move the cursor onto its icon using a mouse. [COMPUTING ]
too l box (tool boxes ) N‑COUNT A tool box is a metal or plastic box which contains general tools that you need at home, for example to do repairs in your house or car.
too l kit (tool kits ) or toolkit
1 N‑COUNT A tool kit is a special set of tools that are kept together and that are often used for a particular purpose.
2 N‑COUNT A tool kit is the set of skills, abilities, knowledge, or other things needed in order to do a particular task or job. □ Nerves are an important part of the comedian's tool kit. □ The course provides a comprehensive toolkit for negotiating situations.
toot /tuː t/ (toots , tooting , tooted ) VERB If someone toots their car horn or if a car horn toots , it produces a short sound or series of sounds. □ [V n] People set off fireworks and tooted their car horns. □ [V ] Car horns toot as cyclists dart precariously through the traffic. ● N‑SING Toot is also a noun. □ The driver gave me a wave and a toot.
tooth ◆◇◇ /tuː θ/ (teeth )
1 N‑COUNT [oft poss N ] Your teeth are the hard white objects in your mouth, which you use for biting and chewing. □ If a tooth feels very loose, your dentist may recommend that it's taken out.
2 N‑PLURAL The teeth of something such as a comb, saw, cog, or zip are the parts that stick out in a row on its edge.
3 N‑PLURAL If you say that something such as an official group or a law has teeth , you mean that it has power and is able to be effective. □ The opposition argues that the new council will be unconstitutional and without teeth. □ The law must have teeth, and it must be enforced.
4 → see also wisdom tooth
5 PHRASE If you say that someone cut their teeth doing a particular thing, at a particular time, or in a particular place, you mean that that is how, when, or where they began their career and learned some of their skills. □ …director John Glen, who cut his teeth on Bond movies.
6 PHRASE If you say that something sets your teeth on edge , you mean that you find it extremely unpleasant or irritating. □ Their voices set your teeth on edge.
7 PHRASE If you fight tooth and nail to do something, you do everything you can in order to achieve it. If you fight something tooth and nail , you do everything you can in order to prevent it. □ He fought tooth and nail to keep his job.
8 PHRASE If you describe a task or activity as something you can get your teeth into , you mean that you like it because it is interesting, complex, and makes you think hard. [INFORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ This role gave her something to get her teeth into.