resolve to do sth After the divorce she
resolved never to get married again. I I returned to Edinburgh, resohing to stay there until my book was finished.
El something that
someone decides to do
decision di'srym/[n C] They're going to close the school, but I think that's the wrong decision.
make/take a decision (^decide about something important) As chief executive, I often have to take difficult decisions. I We don't have to make a decision right now. Let's talk about it tomorrow. decision to do sth Brett's sudden decision to join the army surprised everyone
come to/reach a decision (=make a decision after thinking carefully or discussing it for a long time) The jury took three days to reach a decision.
big decision (=a difficult and important decision) "Well, is he going to take the job or not?" "Give him more time - it's a big decision.''
U to decide that something is true
decide /di'said, [и T] to think that something is true, after thinking about it, check ing it, or looking at it + (that) I decided he was probably telling the truth.
decide whether/which/what etc She
couldn't decide whether the hat suited her or not.
come to the conclusion that клш
ta дз кэп'к! ui3«?n Йэ1/ to decide that something is true after thinking carefully about all the facts: I came to the conclusion that there was only one way of tackling the problem. I De Klerk eventually came to the conclusion that the apartheid system could not continue.
jump to conclusions .d3Amp to кэп'к! ui^nz/ to decide too quickly that something is true, without considering all the
facts: We mustn't jump to conclusions.
There may be a perfectly good explanation for him being so late.
judge №лс1з/ [у T) formal to decide that something is true after examining a situation carefully and using your knowledge
and experience
+ that Kaldor judged that the moment was exactly right to call an election. judge whether/which/what etc It's difficult to judge whether this is the right time to tell him.
□ when someone has the right to decide
Qit is Up to sb it iz 'лр tu: (sb)/ especially spoken if you say it is up to him/her/
you etc, you mean that that person should make the decision about something, and no one else: "Should we finish the job now, or leave it till later?" "I don't know - it's up to you." I It's up to them what they do with the money.
it is for sb to decide М и (sb) u
df'saia/ formal use this when only one person or group has the official power to make a decision about something important: We ccnnot say if he is guilty or not. That is for the court to decide
В able to make decisions quickly and firmly
decisive /di'saisiv/ [adj] someone who is
decisive can make decisions firmly and confidently, without needing too much time to talk about them or think about them: We're still waiting for Jim to make up his mind. I wish he'd be more decisive. I The country needs strong decisive leadership.
decisively lacM The police responded to the crisis quickly and decisively.
Q when someone cannot decide
can't decide /.kaint drsaid|,kaent-/ to not
be able to make a decision: "Are you going to take the job or not?" "I don't
know; I can't decide."
can't decide what/whether/how etc /
can't decide what to wear. I Lucinda couldn't decide whether she wanted to marry Jerry or not.
indecisive Iindi'saisiv*/ [adj\ not good at making decisions quickly and firmly: She'll never be a good manager - she's far too indecisive.
dither /'di69r; [v I] informal to keep changing your mind - use this when you think
someone is weak or stupid because they
cannot decide about something: Stop dithering and make up your mind.
DECORATE
to improve the way something looks, by painting it or adding something attractive to It
see also paint, design, pattern
D to decorate something
decorate
decorate /"dekare/t [v T] to improve the way something looks by painting it or adding something attractive to it: The children always enjoy decorating the Christmas tree.
be decorated with sth The room was decorated with balloons and coloured ribbons. 1 a bowl decorated with patterns of ivy leaves and grape vines.
decorated Wjl On the table was an ancient book with a decorated cover.
garnish /"ga:rnij/ \v T] to make food look nice by adding a small amount of another type of food, usually of a different colour - used especially in cooking instructions garnish sth with sth Garnish the pasta with olives and basil.
В things that are used to decorate something
decorations /.deks'reipnz/ In plural] things
179
DECORATE
that you use to decorate a place, object, piece of furniture etc, often for a special occasion: Have you put up your Christmas
decorations yet? I The bride's mother had made all the table decorations.
decoration /deka'reiprv' [n U| designs and patterns used to decorate buildings, clothes, furniture, food etc: The altar is a fine example of Baroque decoration. I These
plants are grown mainly for decoration.
decorative /dek^rativfl'dek^ra-, 'dekarei-/
[adj] something that is decorative is intended to make a place, object, piece of furniture etc look attractive - use this especially about designs and patterns: There are decorative tiles around the fireplace, with pictures of birds and flowers on them. I Inside the church there are many interesting decorative features.
ornamental /,э:гпэ'тети/ [adj usually before nounl something ornamental, especially in a garden or building, is intended to make a place look more attractive, and usually does not have a useful purpose: Ornamental pots will brighten up your patio. I an ornamental pond