Collocations for trade - noun
1. buying/selling of goods/services
ADJ.
brisk, flourishing, lively, roaring, thriving
All around the pyramids, salespeople were doing a roaring trade in souvenirs.
All around the pyramids, salespeople were doing a roaring trade in souvenirs.
lucrative, profitable | external, foreign, global, international, overseas, world | domestic, internal, inter-provincial, inter-regional, regional | export, import, import-export | direct, indirect | free | fair
The organization promotes fair trade with developing countries.
The organization promotes fair trade with developing countries.
legal, legitimate | illegal, illicit
attempts to curb the illicit trade in exotic species
attempts to curb the illicit trade in exotic species
private | bilateral, mutual | unilateral | coastal, maritime | agricultural, commercial | retail, wholesale
It has been a bad year for the retail trade.
It has been a bad year for the retail trade.
book, fur, slave, timber, tourist, wine, wool | evil
the evil trade in drugs
the evil trade in drugs
VERB + TRADE
carry on, conduct, do, engage in, ply
the tools needed to carry on a trade All manner of hawkers and street sellers were plying their trade.
the tools needed to carry on a trade All manner of hawkers and street sellers were plying their trade.
boost, build up, develop, expand, increase, promote
a bid to boost foreign trade He built up a trade in seeds, corn and manure.
a bid to boost foreign trade He built up a trade in seeds, corn and manure.
damage, harm
A bitterly cold winter damaged industrial output and trade.
A bitterly cold winter damaged industrial output and trade.
lose
Shops have lost a day''s trade.
Shops have lost a day''s trade.
ban, restrict
TRADE + VERB
boom, expand, grow, increase, pick up | decline, fall
TRADE + NOUN
balance, figures, performance, statistics | surplus | deficit, gap, imbalance | barrier, blockade, boycott, embargo, restrictions, sanctions | tariff | dispute, war
The countries were locked in a trade war, refusing to allow imports of each other''s goods.
The countries were locked in a trade war, refusing to allow imports of each other''s goods.
liberalization | benefits, concessions | accord, agreement, deal, pact, protocol, treaty | negotiations, talks | cooperation, links, network, relations | policy, practice
The US was accused of employing unfair trade practices.
The US was accused of employing unfair trade practices.
law, rules | bloc
The five countries formed a regional trade bloc.
The five countries formed a regional trade bloc.
delegation, mission
Several local firms took part in a trade mission to Spain.
Several local firms took part in a trade mission to Spain.
official, representative
talks between trade officials from the two countries
talks between trade officials from the two countries
mark (also ‘trademark’), name | exhibition, fair, show | centre | route
The road has been an important trade route since prehistoric times.
The road has been an important trade route since prehistoric times.
cycle
the boom and slump periods of a trade cycle
the boom and slump periods of a trade cycle
association, body, group, organization
the trade body representing water companies (see also ‘trade union’)
the trade body representing water companies (see also ‘trade union’)
buyer, customer
The vase was bought by a trade buyer (= for example, somebody who works in the antiques trade).
The vase was bought by a trade buyer (= for example, somebody who works in the antiques trade).
directory | journal, magazine, paper, press | information, secret
The employees were fired for divulging trade secrets to a competitor.
The employees were fired for divulging trade secrets to a competitor.
PREP.
in a/the ~
She''s in the wholesale fruit trade. | These special flour sacks are known in the trade as ‘pockets’.
She''s in the wholesale fruit trade. | These special flour sacks are known in the trade as ‘pockets’.
~ between
Trade between the Adriatic ports and their hinterland had grown.
Trade between the Adriatic ports and their hinterland had grown.
~ in
Steps were taken to ban the trade in ivory.
Steps were taken to ban the trade in ivory.
~ with
The US has restricted trade with India.
The US has restricted trade with India.
2. job
VERB + TRADE
learn | exercise, follow, practise
PREP.
by ~
She is a carpenter by trade.
She is a carpenter by trade.
PHRASES
a jack of all trades
(= a person who can do many different types of work),
(= a person who can do many different types of work),
the tricks of the trade
The experienced artisan would pass on the tricks of the trade to the apprentice.
The experienced artisan would pass on the tricks of the trade to the apprentice.