Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

2 VERB If something is tangled or tangles , it becomes twisted together in an untidy way. □ [get/be V -ed + in ] Animals get tangled in fishing nets and drown. □ [V -ed] She tried to kick the pajamas loose, but they were tangled in the satin sheet. □ [V ] Her hair tends to tangle. □ [V n] He suggested that tangling fishing gear should be made a criminal offence. [Also get/be V -ed]

3 N‑SING You can refer to a confusing or complicated situation as a tangle . □  I was thinking what a tangle we had got ourselves into. [Also + of ]

4 VERB [usu passive] If ideas or situations are tangled , they become confused and complicated. □ [get/be V -ed] The themes get tangled in Mr Mahfouz's epic storytelling. □ [V -ed] You are currently in a muddle where financial and emotional concerns are tangled together. ●  tan|gled ADJ □  His personal life has become more tangled than ever.

▸  tangle up

1 PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If a person or thing is tangled up in something such as wire or ropes, they are caught or trapped in it. □ [get/be V -ed P + in ] Sheep kept getting tangled up in it and eventually the wire was removed. □ [get/be V -ed P ] The teeth are like razors. Once you get tangled up it will never let you go.

2 PHRASAL VERB [usu passive] If you are tangled up in a complicated or unpleasant situation, you are involved in it and cannot get free of it. □ [get/be V -ed P + in/with ] The heroine gets tangled up in a murky murder case. ●  tan|gled up ADJ [v-link ADJ ] □ [+ in ] Buddy and Joe appeared to be more and more tangled up in secrets.

tan|go /tæ ŋgoʊ/ (tangos , tangoing , tangoed )

1 N‑SING The tango is a South American dance in which two people hold each other closely, walk quickly in one direction, then walk quickly back again.

2 N‑VAR A tango is a piece of music intended for tango dancing. □  A tango was playing on the jukebox. □  The sounds of tango filled the air.

3 VERB If you tango , you dance the tango. □ [V ] They can rock and roll, they can tango, but they can't bop.

4it takes two to tango → see two

tangy /tæ ŋi/ (tangier , tangiest ) ADJ A tangy flavour or smell is one that is sharp, especially a flavour like that of lemon juice or a smell like that of sea air.

tank ◆◇◇ /tæ ŋk/ (tanks )

1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A tank is a large container for holding liquid or gas. □  …an empty fuel tank. □  Two water tanks provide a total capacity of 400 litres.

2 N‑COUNT A tank is a large military vehicle that is equipped with weapons and moves along on metal tracks that are fitted over the wheels.

3 → see also septic tank , think-tank COLLOCATIONS tank NOUN

1

noun + tank : fuel, oxygen, petrol, water; fish; storage

adjective + tank : empty, full

verb + tank : drain, empty; fill; install

2

noun + tank : army

verb + tank : deploy; destroy

tank|ard /tæ ŋkə ^r d/ (tankards ) N‑COUNT A tankard is a large metal cup with a handle, which you can drink beer from. ● N‑COUNT A tankard of beer is an amount of it contained in a tankard. □ [+ of ] …a tankard of ale.

tanked /tæ ŋkt/ in BRIT, also use tanked up ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is tanked or tanked up , they are drunk. [INFORMAL ]

tank|er /tæ ŋkə ^r / (tankers )

1 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A tanker is a very large ship used for transporting large quantities of gas or liquid, especially oil. □  An oil tanker has run aground.

2 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A tanker is a large truck, railway vehicle, or aircraft used for transporting large quantities of a substance.

ta nk top (tank tops )

1 N‑COUNT A tank top is a knitted piece of clothing that covers the upper part of your body and has no sleeves. [BRIT ]

2 N‑COUNT A tank top is a soft cotton shirt with no sleeves, collar, or buttons. [AM ]