Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

5 VERB In games such as football, when one team attacks the opponent's goal, they try to score a goal. □ [V n] Now the U.S. is controlling the ball and attacking the opponent's goal. □ [V ] The goal was just reward for Villa's decision to attack constantly in the second half. ● N‑COUNT Attack is also a noun. □  Lee was at the hub of some incisive attacks in the second half.

6 N‑COUNT An attack of an illness is a short period in which you suffer badly from it. □ [+ of ] It had brought on an attack of asthma.

7 → see also counter-attack , heart attack

at|tack|er /ətæ kə ^r / (attackers ) N‑COUNT You can refer to a person who attacks someone as their attacker . □  There were signs that she struggled with her attacker before she was repeatedly stabbed.

at|tain /əte I n/ (attains , attaining , attained )

1 VERB If you attain something, you gain it or achieve it, often after a lot of effort. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Jim is halfway to attaining his pilot's licence.

2 VERB If you attain a particular state or condition, you may reach it as a result of natural development or work hard to attain this state. □ [V n] …attaining a state of calmness and confidence.

at|tain|able /əte I nəb ^ə l/ ADJ Something that is attainable can be achieved. □  It is unrealistic to believe perfection is an attainable goal.

at|tain|ment /əte I nmənt/ (attainments )

1 N‑UNCOUNT The attainment of an aim is the achieving of it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the attainment of independence.

2 N‑COUNT An attainment is a skill you have learned or something you have achieved. [FORMAL ] □  …their educational attainments.

at|tempt ◆◆◆ /əte mpt/ (attempts , attempting , attempted )

1 VERB If you attempt to do something, especially something difficult, you try to do it. □ [V to-inf] The only time that we attempted to do something like that was in the city of Philadelphia. □ [V n] Before I could attempt a reply he added over his shoulder: 'Wait there.'

2 N‑COUNT [oft N to-inf] If you make an attempt to do something, you try to do it, often without success. □  …a deliberate attempt to destabilise the defence. □ [+ at ] It was one of his rare attempts at humour.

3 N‑COUNT An attempt on someone's life is an attempt to kill them. □ [+ on ] …an attempt on the life of the former Iranian Prime Minister. COLLOCATIONS attempt NOUN 2

noun + attempt : assassination, coup; escape, rescue; takeover

adjective + attempt : abortive, botched, failed, futile, unsuccessful, vain; desperate; brave, valiant

verb + attempt : block, defeat, foil, frustrate, prevent; make SYNONYMS attempt VERB 1

seek:He also denied that he would seek to annex the country.

try:I tried calling him when I got here but he wasn't at home.

aim:…an appeal which aims to raise funds for children with special needs.

strive:He strives hard to keep himself very fit.

endeavour:They are endeavouring to protect trade union rights NOUN 2

try:After a few tries Patrick gave up any attempt to reform her.

bid:…Sydney's successful bid for the 2000 Olympic Games®.

shot:The heavyweight champion will be given a shot at Holyfield's world title.

go:I always wanted to have a go at football.

effort:…his efforts to reform Italian research.