go throuqh sth /goo 6ru: (sth)/
[phrasal verb T] to explain all the details about something in the right order, to help someone understand it: I'll go through the instructions once more in case you missed anything.
what you say when you are going to explain something
Qyou see /ju: si:/ spoken say this when
you are explaining something to some one, and you want to check that they are listening and that they understand you: This fits on here, you see, where the arrow is. I Simon s car broke down, you see, and neither of us knew how to fix it.
in other words /in ,лбэг W3:rdzj use this when you are saying something in a different way in order to explain it more clearly: What we need is a more sustainable transport system, in other words, more buses and trains, and fewer cars.
that is /баеt iz/ especially written use this when you are explaining the meaning of the previous word or phrase by giving more information about it: The fare is reduced for children, that is, anyone under 16 years old. f Make sure you practise all four language skills, that is, reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Qwhat I mean is /wDtai mi:n iz/spoken say this when you are explaining something that you have just said: When I say Joe
likes to win, what I mean is, I don't think he'll play for our team if we keep losing.
Qlet me explain /let mi: iksplem spoken say this when you want to explain something to someone because you think they have not understood it: I can see you're getting confused. Let me explain.
the words you write or say to explain something
EXPLAIN 258
try to explain. I We listened carefully while Pam explained the process. explain sth to sb Could you explain the rules of the game to me, please? I I'll explain it to you later. + how/what/which etc Can anyone really explain how the universe started? I The leaflet explains what drugs do to your body.
explanation „ekspla'neipn/ [n C] something that you say or write in order to make something clearer or to explain why something happened: Each diagram is followed by a simple explanation, give (sb) an explanation Can you give us a quick explanation of how it
works? I He left suddenly, without giving any explanation. + for Did they give any explanation for their decision?
instructions /in'strAkJ<?nz/ [n plural] written or spoken information that explains exactly how to do something: The cooking instructions are on the back of the box. I Make sure you read the instructions carefully first.
give (sb) instructions They gave us detailed instructions explaining how to get to their house.
foilow instructions (=do what they tell you) If you had followed my instructions, none of this would have happened.
to explain why something happened
say wky/tell sb why /,sei wai, tel (sb) 'wai/ to tell someone the reasons why something happened: Did he say why he needed the money? I My aunt never told us why she got divorced.
explain /ik'splein, к \/T] to tell someone the reasons why something happened, so that they can understand the situation completely: Don t get angry - I can explain everything.
+ why Can you explain why you're so late?
set off 'set Dff-xfl Iphrasal verb T] to make a bomb explode, either deliberately or accidentally
set off sth Any slight movement could have set off the device and blown us all up.
set stK off It was a car bomb - they must
have used radio signals to set it off.
A
detonate /'detaneit/ Ju T} to make a bomb explode, especially by using special equipment: Army experts detonated the bomb safely in a nearby field. I The 200 kg bomb was detonated by terrorists using a remote-control device.
a Detonate is a more technical word tbanset off .
В a building/plane etc explodes
blow up ,Ыэо Чр/ [и I] if a building, car, plane etc blows up, it bursts suddenly and violently into pieces, causing a lot of damage: The plane blew up in mid-air, killing all the passengers and crew.
259
EXPLODE
explode -ik'splaud/ [и 1] if a container of chemicals, oil, or gas explodes, it bursts suddenly and violently into pieces: The car crashed and its fuel tank exploded a few seconds later.
EXPLODE
DESTROY
\ /
see also
i
HURT/INJURE
a bomb explodes
explode/go ojff /ik'splaod, ,gau 'ofll-'xf,
[и I] if a bomb explodes or goes off it
WEAPON
WAR
KILL
bursts suddenly and violently with a loud noise, causing a lot of damage: A bomb exploded in a crowded Metro station this morning, killing five people. I The bomb went off as people were still leaving the building.
to destroy something using a bomb
blow up StK /,Ыэо лр (sth)/ [phrasal verb T) to destroy a building, car, plane etc using a bomb: Terrorists blew up a government building in the city centre. 1 Two of the ships were blown up while they were still in the harbour.
an explosion
explosion /ik'splauyn/ [n C] the loud
noise and violent force that is produced when something explodes: The noise of the explosion could be heard all over the city.
blast /bla:st||blaest/ [n C] an explosion -
used especially in news reports: Twelve people were injured in a bomb blast in the city centre, i Every window in the building had been shattered by the force of the blast.
FAIL
when you do not succeed
opposite SUCCEED
/ail feil/ [у I] when you try to do something or achieve something, but you do not succeed: We tried to make her change her mind, but we failed.