Collocations for key - noun
1. for a door
ADJ.
master, skeleton | duplicate, spare | car, desk, front door, house, ignition, etc.
QUANT.
bunch, set
a large bunch of keys a set of car keys
a large bunch of keys a set of car keys
VERB + KEY
turn
She turned the key in the lock.
She turned the key in the lock.
insert, put in | remove, take out | use
She must have used a key to get in.
She must have used a key to get in.
KEY + VERB
open, unlock
You need a key to open the garage.
You need a key to open the garage.
lock | turn
They heard a key turn in the back door lock.
They heard a key turn in the back door lock.
PREP.
with a/the ~
You have toclose it with the key.
You have toclose it with the key.
~ to
thekey to the front door
thekey to the front door
PHRASES
get a key cut
I''ll getanother key cut so that you canhave one.
I''ll getanother key cut so that you canhave one.
2. on a computer
ADJ.
Alt, arrow, backspace, control, delete, escape, function, return, shift, etc. | shortcut
F1 is the shortcut key for calling up help.
F1 is the shortcut key for calling up help.
QUANT.
row
the top row of keys
the top row of keys
VERB + KEY
hit, hold down, press, touch
Hold down the Alt key while pressing the arrow keys.
Hold down the Alt key while pressing the arrow keys.
release
3. explanation of symbols, etc.
KEY + VERB
tell sb sth
The key tells you what all the symbols mean.
The key tells you what all the symbols mean.
PREP.
in a/the ~
You can find the symbols in the key at the bottom of the page.
You can find the symbols in the key at the bottom of the page.
~ to
the key to the signs and symbols
the key to the signs and symbols
4. decisive factor
VERB + KEY
have, hold
First-time voters could hold the key to the election result.
First-time voters could hold the key to the election result.
PREP.
~ to
Language is the key to understanding those around you.
Language is the key to understanding those around you.
5. in music
ADJ.
major, minor | high, low
VERB + KEY
change
KEY + VERB
change
The key changes from C major to A minor.
The key changes from C major to A minor.
KEY + NOUN
change | signature
There are two sharps in the key signature of D major.
There are two sharps in the key signature of D major.
PREP.
in a/the ~
What key''s it in? | Can we try it in a lower key?
What key''s it in? | Can we try it in a lower key?
~ of
the key of G major
the key of G major