Advanced English (2) • VERBS • 'G'

verb [T ] C2 • synonyms: extract, gather, deduce • glean something from someone/something • glean insights/information/clues from sources/fragments • freq in AmE: 4/10

to gather information, ideas, or material gradually and with effort, often from various sources or fragments; originally meant collecting leftover grain after harvest

collocation with goose verb [T ] C1 US informal • synonyms: boost sales, drive demand, spike revenue • goose sales with ads/promos; try to goose sales; tactics to goose sales • freq in AmE: 5/10

to boost or stimulate sales, often through artificial, aggressive, or short-term means such as marketing, discounts, or hype

verb [T ] C1 • synonyms: understand, comprehend, perceive • grasp idea/meaning/truth; fully/suddenly/intuitively grasp • freq in AmE: 7/10

to understand something fully and clearly, especially something complex, abstract, or subtle; metaphorically, to mentally or emotionally seize an idea, truth, or experience

verb [I or T ] C2 • synonyms: nibble, feed, browse • animals graze on grass/pasture; humans graze on snacks/info • freq in AmE: 5/10

to feed on grass or other low vegetation (typically animals); or to eat small amounts of food continuously or casually (typically humans); also used metaphorically to suggest light or non-intensive consumption

verb [I or T ] C1 • synonyms: sprout, emerge, take root • germinate idea/feeling/movement; allow something to germinate; newly germinated impulse/thought • freq in AmE: 4/10

to begin to grow or develop; used literally for seeds and figuratively for ideas, feelings, or movements that start small and gradually take shape

verb [I or T ] C1 • synonyms: overeat, binge, devour, stuff oneself • gorge on pizza/sweets/TV; greedily/mindlessly/compulsively gorge; gorge as excess/craving/loss of control • freq in AmE: 6/10

to eat a large amount of food greedily and quickly, often to the point of discomfort; sometimes used figuratively for overconsumption of media or experiences

verb [I or T ] C1 • synonyms: spurt, pour, erupt, overflow • gush from pipe/wound/eyes; gush with joy/tears/praise; sudden/intense gush • freq in AmE: 6/10

to flow out suddenly and forcefully, especially in large amounts; often used for liquids (blood, water, oil) or intense, uncontrolled expressions of emotion or praise

collocation with glaze verb [I ] C2 • synonyms: tune out, zone out, disengage, blank out • eyes/mind glaze over; glaze over with boredom/confusion • freq in AmE: 6/10

(of eyes or expression) to become dull, unfocused, or blank — often due to boredom, fatigue, confusion, or emotional withdrawal; metaphorically, to disengage mentally or emotionally

collocation with grow verb [I ] C2 formal • synonyms: become unavoidable, drift toward certainty • grow inevitable over time; conflict/decline/departure grows inevitable; slowly/quietly/tragically grows inevitable • freq in AmE: 3/10

to gradually become unavoidable or certain over time; to develop toward inevitability through accumulation, tension, or unfolding events

verb [T ] C1 • synonyms: provoke, incite, needle • goad someone into something/doing something; be goaded on by something • goad someone into action/reaction/confession; goad with sarcasm/criticism/silence • freq in AmE: 5/10

(PROVOKE) to provoke, urge, or incite someone into action — often by teasing, challenging, or irritating them deliberately

collocation with goad verb [T ] C1 • synonyms: provoke into, bait into, pressure into • goad into reacting/confessing/quitting; goad into doing something regrettable • freq in AmE: 5/10

(PROVOKE) to provoke or pressure someone so persistently that they end up doing something — often against their better judgment or in a moment of emotional reaction

verb [I ] C2 • synonyms: shine, blaze, dazzle • sun/screen/headlights glare; glare harshly/blindingly; glare into eyes/window; truth/fame glares; shield/squint from glare • freq in AmE: 5/10

to shine with a strong, harsh, or dazzling light that makes it difficult to see; often associated with discomfort, artificial brightness, or symbolic exposure

verb [I ] C2 • synonyms: scowl, stare, glower • glare at someone/in silence; glare coldly/angrily/defiantly; glare with rage/grief; glare of rejection/truth; freq in AmE: 6/10

to look at someone in a fierce, angry, or piercing way — often silently, to express hostility, disapproval, or emotional tension