What is the origin of 'sleep tight'?
Read moreOne of the mysteries of the English language finally explained.
noun
A book for people visiting a foreign country, listing useful expressions in the language of the country together with their equivalent in the visitor's own language.
‘a Turkish phrase book’- ‘A little French is indispensable, even if it's just from pocket dictionaries and phrase books.’
- ‘But as any traveler knows, there is a difference between speaking a language, however haltingly, and voicing a random collection of syllables gleaned from a Berlitz phrase book.’
- ‘And a quick glance at a phrase book is enough for most people to adapt.’
- ‘I like and enjoy Thailand, but I do know how to use a map and a phrase book.’
- ‘She carried her Tibetan phrase book everywhere she went, and despite all the laughter she provoked she was actually learning Tibetan.’
- ‘I could manage basic phrases by taking my time and checking the phrase book on the fly.’
- ‘My Swahili phrase book - bought at the station - came in surprisingly handy with ‘there is a grinding noise’.’
- ‘It's always a good idea to pack a phrase book of the local language.’
- ‘According to my phrase book, this meant: ‘What is the name of this station?’’
- ‘He pulls out a phrase book, draws a lot of attention to himself that he didn't want.’
- ‘Ensure that you take a phrase book if you are visiting a country where a language other than English is spoken.’
- ‘A little spoken Japanese can go a long way towards breaking down barriers, so a phrase book acquired now could pay dividends in June.’
- ‘A phrase book is often very useful in Europe, but in many other parts of the world English is spoken.’
- ‘If you wanted to learn French, there'd be dictionaries, phrase books, videos, CD-ROMs, children's games, Dr. Seuss in French, flash cards.’
- ‘A phrase book which helps doctors communicate with patients in a staggering 36 languages has been a huge hit in Bradford.’
- ‘I shall be studying the phrase book carefully over the next month.’
- ‘Besides, being a phrase book, it is also a peep into the customs and rituals of India.’
- ‘Word on the street is that sales of foreign-language phrase books could be on the decline soon.’
- ‘We were also helped by the fact we had a phrase book on board the vehicle that allowed us to communicate on the way to Colchester General.’
- ‘For this sort of conversation, let's face it, you don't need a phrase book, you need conversation classes: similar for beginners, similar for travellers, or just plain similar.’
