all of a sudden / all at once

all of a sudden: suddenly, without warning (also: all at once)

• All of a sudden Ed appeared at the door. We weren't expecting him to drop by.
• All at once Millie got up and left the house without any explanation.

to put out

to put out: to extinguish (S)

• No smoking is allowed in here. Please put out your cigarette.
• The fire fighters worked hard to put the brush fire out.

at least

at least: a minimum of, no fewer (or less) than

• I spend at least two hours every night studying.
• Mike drinks at least a quart of water every day.

Accustomed to

Accustomed to, not with.

Don't Say: I'm accustomed with hot weather.

• Say: I'm accustomed to hot weather.

Also Used to: He is used to the heat.

be accustomed to (doing) something

to be familiar with something and accept it as normal:

• We were accustomed to working together.

become/grow/get accustomed to something

• Her eyes quickly became accustomed to the dark.

! In spoken English, it is more usual to say be/get used to (doing) something

• You'll soon get used to the hot climate.

Accuse of / Charge with

Accuse of, not for.

to say that you believe someone is guilty of a crime or of doing something bad

Don't Say: She accused the man for stealing.

• Say: She accused the man of stealing.

Charge takes with:The man was charged with murder.

accuse somebody of (doing) something

• He was accused of murder.
• Smith accused her of lying.
• The professor stands accused of (=has been accused of) stealing his student's ideas and publishing them.

TO ACCUSE

• He was accused of a murder and sentenced to death.
• Mother accused her little son of breaking her new vase. It was not the first time he had broken something.

strength / weak point

strength (opposite of weak point)

useful quality or ability [countable]

a particular quality or ability that gives someone or something an advantage [≠ weakness]:

• Her main strength is her critical thinking ability.

strength of

• The great strength of our plan lies in its simplicity.
• Be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses.

take somebody on

Take somebody on

to start to employ someone [= hire]:

• We're taking on 50 new staff this year.

negotiation

negotiation

official discussions between the representatives of opposing groups who are trying to reach an agreement, especially in business or politics

negotiation with

• The negotiations with the company had reached a crucial stage.

negotiation between

• This follows private negotiations between the landowner, and the leisure centre.

negotiation on/over

• He is trying to involve community leaders in negotiations on reform.

open/enter into negotiations (with somebody) (=start official discussions)

• The government opened negotiations with the IMF for another loan.
• the next round of arms negotiations
• The price is generally open to negotiation (=is not fixed and can be discussed).

contractor

contractor

a person or company that agrees to do work or provide goods for another company:

• a roofing contractor

Absorbed in

Absorbed (= very much interested) in, not at.

Don't say: The man was absorbed at his work.

• Say: The man was absorbed in his work.