1
general::
noun for a door ADJ. master, skeleton | duplicate, spare | car, desk, front door, house, ignition, etc. QUANT. bunch, set a large bunch of keys a set of car keys VERB + KEY turn She turned the key in the lock. | insert, put in | remove, take out | use She must have used a key to get in. KEY + VERB open, unlock You need a key to open the garage. | lock | turn They heard a key turn in the back door lock. PREP. with a/the ~ You have to close it with the key. | ~ to the key to the front door PHRASES get a key cut I'll get another key cut so that you can have one. on a computer ADJ. Alt, arrow, backspace, control, delete, escape, function, return, shift, etc. | shortcut F1 is the shortcut key for calling up help. QUANT. row the top row of keys VERB + KEY hit, hold down, press, touch Hold down the Alt key while pressing the arrow keys. | releaseCOMPUTER explanation of symbols, etc. KEY + VERB tell sb sth The key tells you what all the symbols mean. PREP. in a/the ~ You can find the symbols in the key at the bottom of the page. | ~ to the key to the signs and symbols decisive factor VERB + KEY have, hold First-time voters could hold the key to the election result. PREP. ~ to Language is the key to understanding those around you. in music ADJ. major, minor | high, low VERB + KEY change KEY + VERB change The key changes from C major to A minor. KEY + NOUN change | signature There are two sharps in the key signature of D major. PREP. in a/the ~ What key's it in? Can we try it in a lower key? | ~ of the key of G major
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
3
general::
key
nouns
a key factor
(= a very important factor )
• A key factor in starting any business is its location.
a key element/feature/component
(= a very important part )
• Advertising is a key element in the success of a product.
a key role
• Sanders played a key role in the team’s winning season.
a key area
• What are the key areas of economic policy?
a key issue/question/point
• The environment became a key issue during the election.
a key figure
(= a key person )
• She was a key figure in the election campaign.
a key player
• He won’t leave key players out of the team.
a key witness
(= someone who can give important information about a crime )
• She will be a key witness in the murder trial.
a key decision
• Women made most of the key decisions about how money was spent in the household.
a key word
(= an important or useful word )
• Once you know the key words, you can make your own sentence.
key 2
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + key
a spare key
(= an extra key )
• Never hide your spare key under the doormat.
door key
• I’ll get a new door key cut for you.
car keys
• She left her car keys on the hall table.
house keys
• I’ve lost my house keys.
the front/back door key
• She felt in her pocket for the front door key.
the ignition key
(= the key that starts a car or engine )
• Sam turned the ignition key and drove slowly away.
phrases
a bunch/set of keys
(= a group of keys kept together )
• He took out a huge bunch of keys and unlocked the door.
the key to a door/house/cupboard
(= the key that opens a door/house/cupboard )
• Has anyone seen the key to the garage door?
verbs
put a key in a lock/the door
• I put the key in the lock, but it wouldn’t turn.
insert a key
formal (= put it in a lock )
• She inserted the key into the lock.
turn a key
• He climbed into his car and turned the key.
cut a key
(= make one )
• Could you get a key cut for me?
jangle your keys
(= move them so they make a ringing sound )
• He walked off down the corridor, jangling his keys.
a key unlocks/opens something
• The largest key unlocks the front door.
a key turns
• We heard the key turn in the lock.
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