I Extra Examples Courses Action Things Art Runs

• a french/chemistry course
• he took a course in russian language and literature.
• i want to do a course in art and design.
• the department offers short courses in drama, fiction, and poetry.

course

1. a series of lessons or lectures on a particular subject
• SEE ALSO access course
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/access-course
• a French/chemistry course
• He took a course in Russian language and literature.
• I want to do a course in art and design.
• The department offers short courses in drama, fiction, and poetry.
• She teaches a course on internet crime.
• My boss has been on a course this week.
• You need to go on a management training course.
• He has recently completed the five-week course.
• The college runs specialist language courses.
• I enrolled in a ten-week online course.

Extra Examples

• Psychology is offered as an elective course.
• She has completed a course in first aid.
• She withdrew from the course because of illness.
• Students take required courses in music theory and performance.
• The course consists of both lectures and practical workshops.
• The course runs from 10–15 May.
• The course runs from January till March.
• The school runs courses all year round.
• We have designed the course for students at all levels of ability.
• a course in applied linguistics
• a course in art history
• a course on the development of capitalism
• How much would you pay for a course of driving lessons?
• I've signed up for an evening course on media techniques.
• Over 50 students have enrolled on the course.
• Registration for courses begins tomorrow.
• She's taking a course in Art and Design.
• The course is extremely intensive.
• We offer several management training courses.
2. a period of study at a college or university that leads to an exam or a qualification
• COMPARE programme
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/programme_2
• What degree course did you choose?
• a two-year postgraduate course leading to a master’s degree
• He was able to design his own course of study.

Extra Examples

• She had taught on a range of undergraduate courses.
• a joint honours course in French and Russian
• the only university in the UK to offer courses in computer games technology
• It's a four-year course.
• The course leads to a master's degree.
3. a large area of land that is designed for playing golf on
• He set a new course record.
4. an area of land or water where races are held
• SEE ALSO assault course
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/assault-course
• She was overtaken on the last stretch of the course.
• Only ten yachts completed the course.
5. any of the separate parts of a meal
• a four-course dinner
• The main course was roast duck.
• We had chicken for our main course.
6. a direction or route followed by a ship or an aircraft
• He radioed the pilot to change course.
• The plane was off course (= not going in the right direction).
• We're on course for our destination.

Extra Examples

• The boat altered course during the storm.
• The boat was blown off course.
• The plane resumed its original course.
• The two planes were on a collision course.
• We set course for Vancouver Island.
• We're a long way off course.
• I have been plotting your course on the map.
• The ship set a course for the Christmas Islands.
• The submarine changed course.
7. the general direction in which somebody’s ideas or actions are moving or in which things are developing
• The president appears likely to change course on some key issues.
• The dollar fell sharply for two days, and then reversed course.
• Her career followed a similar course to her sister's.
• Politicians are often obliged to steer a course between incompatible interests.

Extra Examples

• It is time to chart a new course in defence policy.
• The president was urged to change course before it was too late.
• They were obliged to steer a course between the interests of the two groups.
• She shrewdly steered a middle course between the two factions.
• Prices resumed their upward course.
• The dollar fell sharply for two days, and then reversed course.
8. a way of acting in or dealing with a particular situation
• There are various courses open to us.
• What course of action would you recommend?
• It was the best course of action to take in the circumstances.
• The wisest course would be to say nothing.

Extra Examples

• Once she had decided on a course of action it was impossible to dissuade her.
• It was decided that the best course of action was for him to be asked to resign.
• It was the only course of action left open to them.
• By far the best course is to use your car less.
• It was the only course open to him.
• Taking action without knowing all the facts would not be a prudent course.
• If re-elected, the government would pursue the same course.
• The property group defied the usual course of asking shareholders for cash.
9. the way something develops or should develop
• This was an event that changed the course of history.
• The unexpected course of events aroused considerable alarm.
• She repeatedly raised the issue during the course of the campaign.

Extra Examples

• This was an event that changed the course of history.
• War has determined the course of much of human history.
• during the course of the war
10. the direction a river moves in
• The path follows the course of the river.
11. a series of medical treatments, tablets, etc.
• to prescribe a course of antibiotics
• When taking antibiotics it is important to finish the course.

Extra Examples

• She's been put on a course of injections.
• If you are prescribed antibiotics, it's important to finish the course.
12. a continuous layer of brick, stone or other building material in a wall
• SEE ALSO damp course
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/damp-course
• A new damp-proof course could cost £1 000 or more.
13. to be in a situation that is almost certain to cause an argument
• I was on a collision course with my boss over the sales figures.
14. to be moving in a direction in which it is likely that you will crash into somebody/something
• A giant iceberg was on a collision course with the ship.
15. to be just what you would expect to happen or expect somebody to do in a particular situation
• SYNONYM norm
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/norm_2
• Starting early and working long hours is par for the course in this job.
16. the act of matching people with suitable jobs or tasks
17. going through a particular process
• The new textbook is in course of preparation.
18. during
• He's seen many changes in the course of his long life.
• The company faces major challenges over the course of the next few years.
19. when enough time has passed
• SYNONYM eventually
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/eventually
• It is possible that in the course of time a cure for cancer will be found.
• In the course of time, I began to understand.
20. at the right time and not before
• Your request will be dealt with in due course.
21. as things usually happen
• SYNONYM normally
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/normally
• In the normal course of things we would not treat her disappearance as suspicious.
• In the normal course of events, you should get a reply by Monday.
22. to allow natural processes to happen, without trying to stop or change them (used especially in the context of illness)
• The midwife must judge when to let nature take its course and when to intervene.
• When the dog responded so badly to the treatment, we decided to let nature take its course.
23. (as) the usual and correct thing to do
• We always check people's addresses as a matter of course.
24. (to take/find) an acceptable course of action that avoids two extreme positions
25. used to emphasize that what you are saying is true or correct
• ‘Don't you like my mother?’ ‘Of course I do!’
• ‘Will you be there?’ ‘Course I will.’
26. used as a polite way of giving somebody permission to do something
• ‘Can I come, too?’ ‘Course you can.’
• ‘Can I have one of those pens?’ ‘Of course—help yourself.’
27. used as a polite way of agreeing with what somebody has just said
• ‘I did all I could to help.’ ‘Of course,’ he murmured gently.
28. used to show that what you are saying is not surprising or is generally known or accepted
• Ben, of course, was the last to arrive.
• Of course, there are other ways of doing this.
29. used to emphasize the fact that you are saying ‘no’
• ‘Are you going?’ ‘Of course not.’
• ‘Do you mind?’ ‘No, of course not.’
30. likely to achieve or do something because you have already started to do it
• The American economy is on course for higher inflation than Britain by the end of the year.
• Victory in Saturday’s match will put them on course to qualify for the European championships.
31. to tell a lie or to do something in order to prevent the police, etc. from finding out the truth about a crime
32. to develop in the usual way and come to the usual end
• When her tears had run their course, she felt calmer and more in control.
• With minor ailments the best thing is often to let nature take its course.

Extra Examples

• We could do nothing but let the disease run its course.
• It's best to let things follow their natural course.
• We'll just have to let things take their natural course.
33. to continue doing something until it has finished or been completed, even though it is difficult
• Very few of the trainees have stayed the course.
• He insists that he will not quit but will stay the course.

Word Origin

• Middle English: from Old French cours, from Latin cursus, from curs- ‘run’, from the verb currere.