3
general::
noun where to/from ADJ. same They were both going in the same direction. | different, opposite | right, wrong Unfortunately, we were going in the wrong direction. | general I fired in the general direction of the officer's head, and missed. | unexpected Support came from an unexpected direction. | anti-clockwise, clockwise Turn the dial in a clockwise direction. | downward, upward These figures may have to be revised in an upward direction. | northerly, southerly, etc. The current flows in a south-easterly direction. | wind When sailing, keep a constant check on changes in wind direction. VERB + DIRECTION take Which direction do we have to take? | change, reverse The wind had changed direction. What happens if you reverse the direction of the current? | flow in, go (off) in | head in, move in, travel in The convoy is moving in the direction of the capital. | veer off in While he was studying in Paris, his thinking suddenly veered off in a new direction. | come from/in He was hit by a lorry coming in the opposite direction. | face (in) I didn't see the accident because I was facing in the opposite direction. | glance in, look in, nod in, point in She glanced in his direction. ‘Look!’ she said, pointing in the direction of the coast. | nudge sb in, point sb in (figurative) We have to nudge politicians in the right direction. I can't come with you, but I can point you in the general direction. | pull (sb/sth) in (often figurative) There are different considerations, often pulling in different directions. PREP. from a/the ~ There was shriek of laughter from the direction of Sarah's room. Let's approach the subject from a different direction. | in a/the ~ The aircraft was flying in a northerly direction. PHRASES the direction of flow/movement/travel I prefer to be facing the direction of travel. | the direction of sb's gaze She followed the direction of his gaze. | from/in all/both directions The blast sent debris flying in all directions. The road was blocked in both directions. | a glance/nod in sb/sth's direction People passed by without a glance in her direction. (figurative) The report gives a brief nod in the direction of green issues before coming down firmly on the side of the market. | a sense of direction I haven't got much sense of direction. development ADJ. new The party must take a new direction if it is to survive. | right, wrong | clear No clear direction in policy can be identified. | future the debate about the future direction of socialism | policy VERB + DIRECTION take It is hard to know which direction the Church will take. | change It's time to change direction and find a new job. | go in, move in At least things are moving in the right direction now. PHRASES a change of direction This was a major change of direction for Britain's foreign policy. | a step in the (right/wrong) direction The new law is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, but it doesn't go far enough. The first step in this direction will be by way of discussion with the unions. purpose ADJ. clear Do not let the discussion fragment into a desultory conversation with no clear direction. VERB + DIRECTION be lacking in, lack Once again her life felt lacking in direction. PHRASES a sense of direction We are looking for somebody with a clear sense of direction. instructions ADJ. clear, good, precise Isabel's directions are always very precise. | stage Shakespeare's famous stage direction, ‘Exit, pursued by a bear.’ VERB + DIRECTION ask for Let's stop and ask for directions. | give sb Can you give me directions for getting to John's? | get We got directions to the hall from a man in the village. | follow It's ever so easy to cook. You just follow the directions on the packet. PREP. ~ for Are there any directions for putting up the tent? | ~ to Can you give me directions to the town centre? control/guidance ADJ. clear In effective classrooms the teacher provided clear direction. | strategic the strategic direction of the company | spiritual The monarch looks to the archbishop for spiritual direction. | government All transport is under government direction. VERB + DIRECTION give sb, provide (sb with) PREP. under sb's ~ working under the direction of a senior manager | ~ from The new workers need direction from a supervisor.NOTEpoints of the compassdue ~ (of) The village is due north of Paris.far ~ a small village in the far north of Scotland. The reserve is a little further south on the coast.down south, up north (informal) They have moved down south (= to the south of the country).journey, way ~ On our way south we travelled through several small villages.road, track ~ the road west out of the citybe/lie ~ of Brighton is south of London.come, drive, fly, go, run, travel, walk ~ From Fort William drive north for a couple of miles.set off ~ The troops set off north.carry on, continue, proceed ~ The road continues west for 10 miles.bear, head ~ Take the N1 motorway heading west from Bern.turn ~ When you reach the top of the hill turn north-east.face, look ~ The kitchen window faces south. The painting depicts the Grand Canal, Venice, looking north from the Rialto Bridge.~ bank, coast, shore the south bank of the river~ wind a bitter east windin the ~ (of) I live in the north. There are lakes in the north-east of Poland.from the ~ (of) The wind is coming from the west.to the ~ (of) Oxford is to the north-west of London.towards the ~ Towards the north the woods turn into pine forests.Which way is ~? Which way is west?
Oxford Collocations Dictionary