Society
The English you actually reach for when you talk about the world around you — chatting about the news, weighing in on a social issue, pitching in locally, and talking about rules and the law.
Reacting to a story and saying what people make of it.
Naming a problem and weighing what's really driving it.
Getting involved locally and feeling like it counts.
Talking about staying within the rules — and what happens when people don't.
Swapping stories about break-ins, dodgy goings-on and keeping the neighbourhood safe.
Talking about local events, who showed up and what suddenly took off.
Moaning and marvelling about city living and fitting in.
Mucking in with the neighbours to tidy the local park.
Grumbling about a new council rule everyone has to follow.
Reckoning whether someone got away with it too easily.
A demonstration suddenly starts in the town square.
Chatting about a story that's all over the news.
A new spot opens up for everyone in the neighbourhood.
Doing your bit at home to cut down on waste.
Feeling pushed to do what everyone else is doing.
Browse all 142 society phrases by level →
Multiple-meaning phrases in society
Same phrase, different jobs — compare the meanings before you use them.