Collocations for direction - noun
1. where to/from
ADJ.
same
They were both going in the same direction.
They were both going in the same direction.
different, opposite | right, wrong
Unfortunately, we were going in the wrong direction.
Unfortunately, we were going in the wrong direction.
general
I fired in the general direction of the officer''s head, and missed.
I fired in the general direction of the officer''s head, and missed.
unexpected
Support came from an unexpected direction.
Support came from an unexpected direction.
anti-clockwise, clockwise
Turn the dial in a clockwise direction.
Turn the dial in a clockwise direction.
downward, upward
These figures may have to be revised in an upward direction.
These figures may have to be revised in an upward direction.
northerly, southerly, etc.
The current flows in a south-easterly direction.
The current flows in a south-easterly direction.
wind
When sailing, keep a constant check on changes in wind direction.
When sailing, keep a constant check on changes in wind direction.
VERB + DIRECTION
take
Which direction do we have to take?
Which direction do we have to take?
change, reverse
The wind had changed direction. | What happens if you reverse the direction of the current?
The wind had changed direction. | What happens if you reverse the direction of the current?
flow in, go (off) in | head in, move in, travel in
The convoy is moving in the direction of the capital.
The convoy is moving in the direction of the capital.
veer off in
While he was studying in Paris, his thinking suddenly veered off in a new direction.
While he was studying in Paris, his thinking suddenly veered off in a new direction.
come from/in
He was hit by a lorry coming in the opposite direction.
He was hit by a lorry coming in the opposite direction.
face (in)
I didn''t see the accident because I was facing in the opposite direction.
I didn''t see the accident because I was facing in the opposite direction.
glance in, look in, nod in, point in
She glanced in his direction. | ‘Look!’ she said, pointing in the direction of the coast.
She glanced in his direction. | ‘Look!’ she said, pointing in the direction of the coast.
nudge sb in, point sb in
(figurative) We have to nudge politicians in the right direction. | I can''t come with you, but I can point you in the general direction.
(figurative) We have to nudge politicians in the right direction. | I can''t come with you, but I can point you in the general direction.
pull (sb/sth) in
(often figurative) There are different considerations, often pulling in different directions.
(often figurative) There are different considerations, often pulling in different directions.
PREP.
from a/the ~
There was shriek of laughter from the direction of Sarah''s room. | Let''s approach the subject from a different direction.
There was shriek of laughter from the direction of Sarah''s room. | Let''s approach the subject from a different direction.
in a/the ~
The aircraft was flying in a northerly direction.
The aircraft was flying in a northerly direction.
PHRASES
the direction of flow/movement/travel
I prefer to be facing the direction of travel.
I prefer to be facing the direction of travel.
the direction of sb''s gaze
She followed the direction of his gaze.
She followed the direction of his gaze.
from/in all/both directions
The blast sent debris flying in all directions. | The road was blocked in both directions.
The blast sent debris flying in all directions. | The road was blocked in both directions.
a glance/nod in sb/sth''s direction
People passed by without a glance in her direction. | (figurative) The report gives a brief nod in the direction of green issues before coming down firmly on the side of the market.
People passed by without a glance in her direction. | (figurative) The report gives a brief nod in the direction of green issues before coming down firmly on the side of the market.
a sense of direction
I haven''t got much sense of direction.
I haven''t got much sense of direction.
2. development
ADJ.
new
The party must take a new direction if it is to survive.
The party must take a new direction if it is to survive.
right, wrong | clear
No clear direction in policy can be identified.
No clear direction in policy can be identified.
future
the debate about the future direction of socialism
the debate about the future direction of socialism
policy
VERB + DIRECTION
take
It is hard to know which direction the Church will take.
It is hard to know which direction the Church will take.
change
It''s time to change direction and find a new job.
It''s time to change direction and find a new job.
go in, move in
At least things are moving in the right direction now.
At least things are moving in the right direction now.
PHRASES
a change of direction
This was a major change of direction for Britain''s foreign policy.
This was a major change of direction for Britain''s foreign policy.
a step in the (right/wrong) direction
The new law is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, but it doesn''t go far enough. | The first step in this direction will be by way of discussion with the unions.
The new law is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, but it doesn''t go far enough. | The first step in this direction will be by way of discussion with the unions.
3. purpose
ADJ.
clear
Do not let the discussion fragment into a desultory conversation with no clear direction.
Do not let the discussion fragment into a desultory conversation with no clear direction.
VERB + DIRECTION
be lacking in, lack
Once again her life felt lacking in direction.
Once again her life felt lacking in direction.
PHRASES
a sense of direction
We are looking for somebody with a clear sense of direction.
We are looking for somebody with a clear sense of direction.
4. instructions
ADJ.
clear, good, precise
Isabel''s directions are always very precise.
Isabel''s directions are always very precise.
stage
Shakespeare''s famous stage direction, ‘Exit, pursued by a bear.’
Shakespeare''s famous stage direction, ‘Exit, pursued by a bear.’
VERB + DIRECTION
ask for
Let''s stop and ask for directions.
Let''s stop and ask for directions.
give sb
Can you give me directions for getting to John''s?
Can you give me directions for getting to John''s?
get
We got directions to the hall from a man in the village.
We got directions to the hall from a man in the village.
follow
It''s ever so easy to cook. You just follow the directions on the packet.
It''s ever so easy to cook. You just follow the directions on the packet.
PREP.
~ for
Are there any directions for putting up the tent?
Are there any directions for putting up the tent?
~ to
Can you give me directions to the town centre?
Can you give me directions to the town centre?
5. control/guidance
ADJ.
clear
In effective classrooms the teacher provided clear direction.
In effective classrooms the teacher provided clear direction.
strategic
the strategic direction of the company
the strategic direction of the company
spiritual
The monarch looks to the archbishop for spiritual direction.
The monarch looks to the archbishop for spiritual direction.
government
All transport is under government direction.
All transport is under government direction.
VERB + DIRECTION
give sb, provide (sb with)
PREP.
under sb''s ~
working under the direction of a senior manager
working under the direction of a senior manager
~ from
The new workers need direction from a supervisor.
The new workers need direction from a supervisor.