Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary полностью

3 ADJ [v-link ADJ , oft ADJ -ing] If you say that someone is busy thinking or worrying about something, you mean that it is taking all their attention, often to such an extent that they are unable to think about anything else. □  I'm so busy worrying about all the wrong things that I'm not focusing on the right ones. □ [+ with ] Most people are too busy with their own troubles to give much help.

4 VERB If you busy yourself with something, you occupy yourself by dealing with it. □ [V pron-refl + with ] He busied himself with the camera. □ [V pron-refl v-ing] She busied herself getting towels ready. □ [V pron-refl] For a while Kathryn busied herself in the kitchen.

5 ADJ A busy place is full of people who are doing things or moving about. □  The Strand is one of London's busiest and most affluent streets. □  The ward was busy and Amy hardly had time to talk.

6 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] When a telephone line is busy , you cannot make your call because the line is already being used by someone else. [mainly AM ] □  I tried to reach him, but the line was busy.

7 → see also busily

busy|body /b I zibɒdi/ (busybodies ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a busybody , you are criticizing the way they interfere in other people's affairs. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □  This government is full of interfering busybodies.

but ◆◆◆ /bət, STRONG bʌt/

1 CONJ You use but to introduce something which contrasts with what you have just said, or to introduce something which adds to what you have just said. □  'You said you'd stay till tomorrow.'—'I know, Bel, but I think I would rather go back.' □  Place the saucepan over moderate heat until the cider is very hot but not boiling. □  He not only wants to be taken seriously as a musician, but as a poet too.

2 CONJ You use but when you are about to add something further in a discussion or to change the subject. □  They need to recruit more people into the prison service. But another point I'd like to make is that many prisons were built in the nineteenth century.

3 CONJ You use but after you have made an excuse or apologized for what you are just about to say. □  Please excuse me, but there is something I must say. □  I'm sorry, but it's nothing to do with you. □  Forgive my asking, but you're not very happy, are you?

4 CONJ You use but to introduce a reply to someone when you want to indicate surprise, disbelief, refusal, or protest. [FEELINGS ] □  'I don't think I should stay in this house.'—'But why?' □  'Somebody wants you on the telephone'—'But no one knows I'm here!'

5 PREP But is used to mean 'except'. □  Europe will be represented in all but two of the seven races. □  He didn't speak anything but Greek. □  The crew of the ship gave them nothing but bread to eat.

6 ADV [ADV n] But is used to mean 'only'. [FORMAL ] □  Orbit is but one of the sculptor's striking creations. □  Lots of interesting different flavours combine - mixed spice and wild berries to name but two.

7 N‑PLURAL You use buts in expressions like ' no buts ' and ' ifs and buts ' to refer to reasons someone gives for not doing something, especially when you do not think that they are good reasons. □  'B-b-b-b-but' I stuttered.—'Never mind the buts,' she ranted. □  He committed a crime, no ifs or buts about it.