Collocations for power - noun
1. authority/control
ADJ.
absolute, ultimate | considerable, enormous | limited | arbitrary | economic, legal, legislative, political | popular | secular
VERB + POWER
come to, rise to
When did this government come to power?
When did this government come to power?
assume, seize, take
The Crown prince assumed power in his father''s place.
The Crown prince assumed power in his father''s place.
restore sb to, return sb to | have, hold
The court has no power to order a psychiatric examination of the child''s parents. | They held power for 18 years.
The court has no power to order a psychiatric examination of the child''s parents. | They held power for 18 years.
share | exercise, use, wield | confer, give sb, grant sb
The new law delegates many of these powers to school governors.
The new law delegates many of these powers to school governors.
fall from, lose
They fell from power in 1992.
They fell from power in 1992.
give up, relinquish, renounce | delegate, devolve
POWER + VERB
be concentrated in (the hands of sb/sth), rest with sb/sth
The real legislative power still rests with the lower chamber.
The real legislative power still rests with the lower chamber.
POWER + NOUN
struggle
getting the upper hand in a power struggle
getting the upper hand in a power struggle
base
The party''s power base is in the industrial north of the country.
The party''s power base is in the industrial north of the country.
PREP.
in (your) ~
the party in power They held us in their power.
the party in power They held us in their power.
~ of
the power of veto
the power of veto
~ over
The government has limited legal powers over television.
The government has limited legal powers over television.
PHRASES
abuse of power, the balance of power
The war brought about a shift in the balance of power.
The war brought about a shift in the balance of power.
a bid for power, the exercise of power, a position of power
the father''s position of power and influence in the home
the father''s position of power and influence in the home
the power behind the throne
(= the person who is really in control) People say that the prime minister''s wife is the power behind the throne.
(= the person who is really in control) People say that the prime minister''s wife is the power behind the throne.
power-hungry
The company was too small to hold two such power-hungry men.
The company was too small to hold two such power-hungry men.
a transfer of power
the transfer of power from a military to a civilian government
the transfer of power from a military to a civilian government
2. ability to do sth
ADJ.
air, military, naval, sea
an increase in Britain''s air power
an increase in Britain''s air power
fire
weapons with enormous fire power
weapons with enormous fire power
bargaining | computing | healing
the healing power of sleep
the healing power of sleep
earning, purchasing | staying
Having served in four governments, he has the greatest staying power of any politician today.
Having served in four governments, he has the greatest staying power of any politician today.
magic, magical, mystical, psychic, supernatural
They believe he has supernatural powers.
They believe he has supernatural powers.
VERB + POWER
have | use | develop | lose
Religion is rapidly losing its power to shape our behaviour.
Religion is rapidly losing its power to shape our behaviour.
PREP.
beyond sb/sth''s ~
a task still beyond any computer''s power
a task still beyond any computer''s power
in/within your
I''m afraid it''s not within my power to help you.
I''m afraid it''s not within my power to help you.
through the ~ of
He wants to change the world through the power of prayer.
He wants to change the world through the power of prayer.
~s as
a tribute to his powers as a teacher
a tribute to his powers as a teacher
~ of
her powers of observation I lost my power of speech for a while after the accident.
her powers of observation I lost my power of speech for a while after the accident.
PHRASES
at the height/peak/zenith of your powers
In 1946 Dali was at the peak of his powers.
In 1946 Dali was at the peak of his powers.
do all/everything in your power
He did everything in his power to find us somewhere to live.
He did everything in his power to find us somewhere to live.
3. country with influence
ADJ.
great, major | world | foreign | allied, enemy | occupying | victorious | European, Western, etc.
major European powers such as France and Germany
major European powers such as France and Germany
colonial, industrial, naval
4. force
ADJ.
great | destructive, terrible
the destructive power of a hurricane
the destructive power of a hurricane
5. energy
ADJ.
full
The plane was still climbing at full power.
The plane was still climbing at full power.
reduced
The transmitter is operating on reduced power.
The transmitter is operating on reduced power.
electric, electrical, hydroelectric, nuclear, solar, steam, tidal, water, wind
VERB + POWER
generate, produce
They use these streams to generate power for the mill.
They use these streams to generate power for the mill.
provide (sb/sth with), supply (sb/sth with)
This wheel provides the power to the cutting machine.
This wheel provides the power to the cutting machine.
use | harness | turn on | cut off, turn off
POWER + VERB
drive sth
Wind power is used to drive the machinery.
Wind power is used to drive the machinery.
POWER + NOUN
cable, line, point, supply | tool
DIY grew in popularity with the advent of power tools.
DIY grew in popularity with the advent of power tools.
plant, station | worker | cut, failure
PREP.
~ for
supplying power for the grinding process
supplying power for the grinding process
PHRASES
a source of power