Collocations for debt - noun
1. sum of money owed
ADJ.
big, crippling, enormous, high, huge, large, massive, substantial
He was burdened with crippling debts.
He was burdened with crippling debts.
mounting
a company faced with mounting debts
a company faced with mounting debts
outstanding, unpaid
She used her lottery winnings to pay off her outstanding debts.
She used her lottery winnings to pay off her outstanding debts.
overdue | bad
(= that cannot be repaid) Bad debt has hit the bank''s profits this year.
(= that cannot be repaid) Bad debt has hit the bank''s profits this year.
long-term, short-term | overall, total | gross, net | commercial, corporate | external, foreign, international | national, public
The country has a national debt of 80% of GNP.
The country has a national debt of 80% of GNP.
gambling
VERB + DEBT
be burdened with, have, owe (sb)
the substantial debts that the company owed to the bank
the substantial debts that the company owed to the bank
incur, run up
She ran up huge debts on her credit card.
She ran up huge debts on her credit card.
clear, meet, pay (back/off), repay, settle
Without a job, he''ll never clear his debts. | It''ll take months to pay off all your debts.
Without a job, he''ll never clear his debts. | It''ll take months to pay off all your debts.
reduce | tackle
The new governments main aim is to tackle the country''s massive debt.
The new governments main aim is to tackle the country''s massive debt.
default on
The firm defaulted on its debt and its assets were seized.
The firm defaulted on its debt and its assets were seized.
cancel, wipe off/out, write off
After a series of meetings, the banks were forced to write off the company''s debts.
After a series of meetings, the banks were forced to write off the company''s debts.
service
(= pay interest on) The fall in exports has left the country unable to service its debts.
(= pay interest on) The fall in exports has left the country unable to service its debts.
reschedule, restructure
The company has reached a deal with its major creditors allowing it to restructure its debts.
The company has reached a deal with its major creditors allowing it to restructure its debts.
secure
a debt secured on property
a debt secured on property
DEBT + VERB
fall due | stand at sth, total sth
The national debt stands at $7,000 million.
The national debt stands at $7,000 million.
arise from sth
debts arising from bad investments
debts arising from bad investments
DEBT + NOUN
collection, collector | burden
PREP.
of ~
$80 million of debt
$80 million of debt
PHRASES
a burden of debt
Faced with a mounting burden of debt, he sold off the company.
Faced with a mounting burden of debt, he sold off the company.
payment/repayment/settlement of a debt
2. state of owing money
ADJ.
serious
VERB + DEBT
go into, get into, slip into
It is easy to get into serious debt with a credit card.
It is easy to get into serious debt with a credit card.
get out of
You can get out of debt by strict economizing.
You can get out of debt by strict economizing.
PREP.
in ~
He was heavily in debt by the time he sought advice.
He was heavily in debt by the time he sought advice.
out of ~
struggling to stay out of debt
struggling to stay out of debt
PHRASES
deeply/heavily in debt
3. sth that you owe sb
ADJ.
great
VERB + DEBT
owe | acknowledge, recognize
PREP.
in sb''s ~
I am in Ruth''s debt for the excellent advice she gave me.
I am in Ruth''s debt for the excellent advice she gave me.
~ to
In the introduction, the author acknowledges her debt to other writers on the subject.
In the introduction, the author acknowledges her debt to other writers on the subject.
PHRASES
owe a debt of gratitude to sb
We owe a great debt of gratitude to our families for their support.
We owe a great debt of gratitude to our families for their support.