happen to do sth /.Ьаерэп 1Э du: (sth)
if you happen to meet someone, go somewhere, or see something, you do it by chance and not because you planned to do it: A police car just happened to be driving past when the robbery took place.
Qas it happens /эz it Ъжрэпх/ spoken
say as it happens when you are mentioning a fact that is connected, by chance, with what you have just been talking about: "I'm thinking of selling my guitar." "Weil, as it happens, I know someone who's thinking of buying one. "
luck 1дк [л Uj the way in which good or bad things happen to people by chance, not because they were planned or intended it's a matter of luck/it's just luck (=it depends on luck) There's no skill in roulette; it's all a matter of luck.
fate Teit In U] the power which some people believe controls what happens in everyone's lives: It was fete that we should meet.
by a twist of fate (^because fate made things happen in an unexpected way) By a strange twist of fate, he died the day
before his grandson u;as horn
~ ~ * ^~ — • 1 * '* 1 * 11 ■■ . . i ——>
A Usefate especially in stories. !
<
CHANGE
m see also different, same, become
Ц to become different
change [v I] to become different:
The city has changed a lot in recent years. She's really changed since she went to college. I the changing role of women in society
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CHANCE
+ into The caterpillar eventually changes into a beautiful butterfly.
CHANGE
change/rom sth to/into sth In the 18th century, Britain changed from a mainly agricultural society to an industrial one. change colour brtish change color ameri can It was October; and the leaves on the trees were starting to change colour.
alter /'Dilto'V [и 1] to change - use this especially about someone's feelings or behaviour, or about a situation: His mood suddenly altered and he seemed a little annoyed. I The situation altered dramatically in 1919 when Mrs Thatcher came to power.
Alter is more formal than change, and is used mostly in written reports or stories.
vary /'ve«?ri/ |i> I] if something varies, it changes according to what the situation is: Ticket prices to New York vary, depend ing on the time of year. vary considerably (=change a lot) Her income varies considerably from one month to the next. varying - varied - have varied
turn into Sth /'txrn mtu: (sth) [phrasal verb T] to become something completely different: a story about a frog that turns into a prince I A trip to the beach turned into a nightmare for a local family yesterday.
Qgo /гот ... to ... /'gэо from ... tu:... especially spokhn to stop being one thing and start being something else, especially something very different: In le?.r than five years, he went from being an anarchist to being a member of the military government. I His face went from pink to
bright red.
to make someone or something different
change JtJemdj/ I и T] to make someone or something different and usually better. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do to change the situation. I Being at college has changed her - she seems much more confident now.
alter ;"э:кзг/ [и T] to change something so that it is better or more suitable-. The border was closed, and they were forced to alter their plans. I You can alter the colour and size of the image using a remote control.
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Alter is more formal than change
. _ _J
make changes /,meik 'tjeind^z/ to
change some parts of a system or the way something is done, but not all of it: The
new boss said he intended to make a few changes.
+ to/in The manufacturer has agreed to make one or two changes to the computer's design.
reform rifoi'm, [и T] to change a law, system, or organization, so that it is fairer or more effective: plans to reform the voting system I Many people think that the abortion laws should be reformed.
adapt/modify /э'daept. mDdy"ai||mu:- [u T1 to change something slightly in order to improve it or make it suitable for a different purpose: How much would it cost to adapt the existing equipment? I a modified version of the original computer program I You can adapt the recipe to suit your own requirements, adapt/modify sth for sth The toilet facilities have been specially modified for use by people in wheelchairs. modifying - modified - have modified
to make something completely different
trans/orm /traens'fr/m/ [и T often in passive] to completely change something, especially so that it is much better: When she smiled. her face was completely transformed.
trans/orm sth into sth In the last 20 years, Korea has been transformed into a major industrial nation.
turn sth into sth 't3irn (sth) intus <sih)/
[phrasal verb T] to make something become a completely different thing, for example because you want to use it for a different purpose: We're planning to turn the study into an extra bedroom. I He turned Ajax into the most successful football team in Europe.
revolutionize (also revolutionise
British) /.reva'luijanaiz/ (u T] to completely and permanently change the way people do something or think about something, especially because of a new idea or invention: Computers have revolutionized the way we work.
Ы easy to change
flexible /'fleks'Ivl [adj] methods, systems, or rules that are flexible can easily be changed if necessary: flexible working hours I Your schedule should be flexible enough to cope with interruptions or unexpected tasks.
Ы a change
change ijeind.v [n СД1] when people or things become different: She found it hard to get used to all the changes at home. I A lot of people are frightened of change.
+ in House plants are often sensitive to changes in the temperature.