Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

9 PHRASE If something such as a technique, building, or machine is in use , it is used regularly by people. If it has gone out of use , it is no longer used regularly by people. □  The system he created is still in use today. □  The site has been out of use for many years.

10 PHRASE If you make use of something, you do something with it in order to do a job or achieve a particular result or effect. [WRITTEN ] □  Not all nursery schools make use of the opportunities open to them. □  …making use of the same bottle time after time.

11 PHRASE You use expressions such as it's no use , there's no use , and what's the use to indicate that a particular action will not achieve anything. □ [PHR v-ing] It's no use arguing with a drunk. □  There's no use you asking me any more questions. □  What's the use of complaining?

12 PHRASE If you say it's no use , you mean that you have failed to do something and realize that it is useless to continue trying because it is impossible. □  It's no use. Let's hang up and try for a better line.

13 PHRASE If something or someone is of use , they are useful. If they are no use , they are not at all useful. □ [+ to ] The contents of this booklet should be of use to all students. □ [+ to ] I'm sorry, I've been no use to you.

used

➊ MODAL USES AND PHRASES

➋ ADJECTIVE USES

➊ used ◆◆◇ /juː st/

1 PHRASE If something used to be done or used to be the case, it was done regularly in the past or was the case in the past. □  People used to come and visit him every day. □  He used to be one of the professors at the School of Education. □  I feel more compassion and less anger than I used to.

2 PHRASE [with neg] If something used not to be done or used not to be the case, it was not done in the past or was not the case in the past. The forms did not use to and did not used to are also found, especially in spoken English. □  Borrowing used not to be recommended. □  At some point kids start doing things they didn't use to do. They get more independent. □  He didn't used to like anyone walking on the lawns in the back garden.

3 PHRASE If you are used to something, you are familiar with it because you have done it or experienced it many times before. □  I'm used to having my sleep interrupted. □  It doesn't frighten them. They're used to it.

4 PHRASE If you get used to something or someone, you become familiar with it or get to know them, so that you no longer feel that the thing or person is unusual or surprising. □  This is how we do things here. You'll soon get used to it. □  He took some getting used to.

➋ used /juː zd/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A used object is dirty or spoiled because it has been used, and usually needs to be thrown away or washed. □  …a used cotton ball stained with makeup. □  He took a used envelope bearing an Irish postmark.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A used car has already had one or more owners. □  Would you buy a used car from this man? □  His only big purchase has been a used Ford.

use|ful ◆◆◇ /juː sfʊl/