a very small or slight hope, etc.

someone from whom you can easily get what you want, because they are kind or easy to deceive

to gradually get more and more money, possessions, knowledge, etc. over a period of time

to obtain something by buying it or being given it

in a position where you are more advanced or more successful than your competitors

natural ability or skill, especially in learning

an important new discovery, especially one made after trying for a long time

to employ someone from outside an organisation to solve a problem or do a difficult job

someone who is just starting to paint, act, etc. and will probably be successful at it

the main or largest part of something

to accept that an idea is right and allow it to influence you

a situation in which someone gains control of a company by buying all or most of its shares

to make sure that something is actually true, correct, or acceptable

to throw something away because you do not want it anymore

to cover or fill a space or room with too many things, so that it looks very untidy

being wrapped around completely

to get and keep objects of the same type, because you think they are attractive or interesting

to be criticized, blamed, etc. for something

to eat or drink something

an attempt to prevent the public from discovering the truth about something

action that is taken to deal more strictly with crime, a problem, protests, etc.

a reduction in something, such as the number of workers in a company or the amount of money a government or company spends

crucial

the process of discovering exactly what is wrong with someone or something, by examining them closely

seeming to be false, dishonest, or not to be trusted

to give something such as money, food, advice, etc. to more than one person

a period or process in which business activity, production, etc. is reduced and conditions become worse

a process, usually a harmful one, in which something gradually but continuously gets worse

a disadvantage of a situation, plan, product, etc.

someone who can easily be deceived or harmed

to use a lot of something, especially until there is none left

to start something, especially something new, difficult, or exciting

to clearly show emotion, especially when you are acting

the results of a particular event, especially when they are unexpected

advice, criticism, etc. about how successful or useful something is

to move something with a quick sudden movement so that it is in a different position

receive so many letters, complaints or inquiries that you cannot deal with them all easily

having all the qualities of something that is at its most complete or advanced stage

to produce or cause something

to understand and be able to do something

to warn that something may happen

the attitudes and practices that prevent women or particular groups from getting high-level jobs, even though there are no actual laws or rules to stop them

to not have something that you usually have

to keep something

a way of selling something in which there is a lot of pressure on you to buy

to collect things and hide them somewhere, especially so they can be used later

a situation that stops something from happening or making progress

something or someone very valuable and popular

making you feel you are really taking part in the events you are seeing on a screen or hearing about, or are really in a virtual environment

existing or occurring at the beginning