Word of the Week: PLACE

Word of the week: place

The word place is a noun and a verb, and both parts of speech are included in the English Vocabulary Profile. The first meaning to be known at A1 is SOMEWHERE and there is good evidence for the informal meaning HOME at A2. The noun features in a number of phrases, including take place and in first/second/third, etc. place at B1 and in place of, take someone’s place, all over the place and in the first place at B2. The idioms put someone in their place andfall into place have been included at C2, even though there is no learner evidence as yet to support their inclusion. What do you think? Please give us your feedback on the use of these idioms from your own experience by following the link here.

place /pleɪs/

▶ NOUN

SOMEWHERE

A1 [C] a position, building, town, area, etc.Dictionary examples:

There are several places of interest to visit in the area.

It was a silly place to park.

This plant needs a warm, sunny place.

This looks like a nice place for a picnic.

His leg was broken in two places.

Are your documents in a safe place?

 Learner example: My favorite place is the hotel near Olomouc. Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Croatian

HOME

A2 [C] INFORMAL a homeDictionary examples:

We'll have the meeting at my place.

They've just bought a place in Spain.

 Learner example: Can you come over to my place [this] afternoon? Key English Test; A2; Portuguese

SEAT

B1 [C] the seat where you sit in a theatre, a class, a train, etc.Dictionary examples:

The children collected their prizes and then went back to their places.

Could you save me a place near the stage?

 Learner example: We looked for a place to sit and found one. Preliminary English Test; [no level]; German

OPPORTUNITY

B1 [C] an opportunity to study at a college, to join a team, etc.Dictionary examples:

She's got a place at university.

She's got a place on on a fine-arts course.

 Learner example: I felt it was my chance so on Monday I ran to the club. [T]here were only 3 places [left], [and] I will begin next Saturday. Preliminary English Test; B1; French

take place

B1 to happenDictionary example:

The concert takes place next Thursday.

 Learner example: A dance night will take place in the club soon. Preliminary English Test; B1; German

in first/second/third, etc. place

B1 If you are in first/second/third, etc. place in a race or competition, that is your position.Dictionary example:

He finished in fifth place.

 Learner example: To achieve first place, I have put a lot of effort [into] a project about the consequences of the use of plastic bags. First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese

in place of sth

B2 instead of somethingDictionary example:

Try adding fruit to your cereal in place of sugar.

 Learner example: Both television and books are very important for our education, for our lives, but never one in the place of the other! First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese

take sb's place

B2 to do something instead of someone elseDictionary example:

If I can't make it to the theatre that night you can take my place.

 Learner example: First of all, it had been written that Danny Brook and Tina Truelove were starring, but Danny wasn't there and somebody else took his place.First Certificate in English; B2; Greek

in the first place

B2 at the start of a situationDictionary example:

Why did you invite her in the first place?

 Learner example: In the first place, you were unknown people for me, but now you are my special foreign friends. First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese

all over the place

B2 in or to many different placesDictionary example:

There were dirty dishes all over the place.

 Learner example: I am thinking of dog-dirt on the pavements, cans all over the place, [and] a lot of disgusting paintings on the walls in the public toilets, the underground and so on. First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish

in place

C2 in the correct positionDictionary example:

The chairs are all in place.

 Learner example: I looked neat and clean even after the wildest games in the school yard, with all the ribbons that tied my long hair in place. Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese

in place

C2 If a rule, system, etc. is in place, it has started to exist.Dictionary example:

There are now laws in place to prevent this from happening.

 Learner example: Let's take [the] example of Mexico City, where such restrictions have been in place since early 2000. International English Language Testing System; C2; Russian

put sb in their place

C2 to let someone know that they are not as important as they think they areDictionary example:

He was rather arrogant, but the other kids soon put him in his place.

out of place

C2 not in the correct positionDictionary example:

Why are my files all out of place?

 Learner example: It was awful getting back from school and se[e]ing all my things out of place. Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese

out of place

C2 not right or suitable for a particular situationDictionary example:

Everyone else was wearing jeans and I felt completely out of place in my office clothes.

 Learner example: This does not mean everybody is wearing tuxedos and dresses but you might be out of place just wearing shorts and a shirt. Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German

fall into place

C2 When events or details that you did not understand before fall into place, they become easy to understand.Dictionary example:

When Jo told me she had a twin sister, everything fell into place.

▶ VERB [T]

place sth in/on, etc.

B2 to put something somewhere carefullyDictionary example:

She placed the letter in front of me.

 Learner example: Suddenly little Sophie, who was chewing a sweet, lifted the lady's hat, took the sweet out of her mouth and placed it on top of the lady's head.First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish

place an advertisement/order, etc.

C1 to arrange to have an advertisement/order, etc.Dictionary example:

She placed an advert for a housekeeper in the local paper.

 Learner example: Place an advertisement on the board near the students' cant[een]. There are always people looking for flat-sharing. Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Catalan

SITUATION

C1 to cause someone to be in a situationDictionary example:

One stupid action has placed us all at risk.

 Learner example: Lack of education placed them in the lowest range of salaries at that time. Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish

place emphasis/importance, etc. on sth

C2 to give something emphasis/importance, etcDictionary example:

They place a lot of importance on qualifications.

 Learner example: They want to fit [in]to their peer group - having idols and placing importance upon clothes is not new for this age. Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German