gain

gain¹ W2S2 [geın] v

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1¦(get something)¦

2¦(get gradually)¦

3¦(advantage)¦

4¦(increase)¦

5 gain access/entry/admittance etc (to something)

6 gain an understanding/insight/impression etc

7 gain ground

8 gain time

9¦(clock)¦

10¦(arrive)¦

Phrasal verbs

　gain on somebody/something

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[Date: 1400-1500; : French; Origin: gagner, from Old French gaaignier 'to prepare the ground for growing crops, earn, gain']

1.) ¦(GET SOMETHING)¦ [T]

to obtain or achieve something you want or need

gain control/power

▪ Radical left-wing parties gained control of local authorities.

▪ After gaining independence in 1957, it was renamed 'Ghana'.

gain a degree/qualification etc

▪ He gained a doctorate in Chemical Engineering.

2.) ¦(GET GRADUALLY)¦ [I and T]

to gradually get more and more of a quality, feeling etc, especially a useful or valuable one

▪ She has gained a reputation as a good communicator.

▪ Many of his ideas have gained popular support .

▪ an opportunity to gain experience in a work environment

▪ The youngsters gradually gain confidence in their abilities.

gain in

▪ The sport has gained in popularity in recent years.

3.) ¦(ADVANTAGE)¦ [I and T]

to get an advantage from a situation, opportunity, or event

gain (sth) from (doing) sth

▪ There is much to be gained from seeking expert advice early.

▪ an attempt to gain a competitive advantage over their rivals

▪ Who really stands to gain (=is likely to get an advantage) from these tax cuts?

▪ There's nothing to be gained (=it will not help you) by losing your temper.

4.) ¦(INCREASE)¦ [T]

to increase in weight, speed, height, or value

▪ Carrie's gained a lot of weight recently.

▪ The dollar has gained 8% against the yen.

5.) gain access/entry/admittance etc (to sth)

to manage to enter a place, building, or organization

▪ New ramps will help the disabled gain better access.

▪ methods used by burglars to gain entry to houses

6.) gain an understanding/insight/impression etc

to learn or find out about something

gain an understanding/insight/impression etc of

▪ We are hoping to gain a better understanding of the underlying process.

▪ This enabled me to gain an overall impression of the school.

7.) gain ground

to make steady progress and become more popular, more successful etc

▪ The anti-smoking lobby has steadily gained ground in the last decade.

8.) gain time

to deliberately do something to give yourself more time to think

≠ lose time

9.) ¦(CLOCK)¦ [I and T]

if a clock or watch gains, or if it gains time, it goes too fast

≠ ↑lose

10.)¦(ARRIVE)¦ [T]

literary to reach a place after a lot of effort or difficulty

▪ The swimmer finally gained the river bank.

→nothing ventured, nothing gained at ↑venture² (3)

gain on / [gain on sb/sth] phr v

to gradually get closer to a person, car etc that you are chasing

▪ Quick - they're gaining on us!

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WORD CHOICE: gain, earn, get

Do not use gain to mean 'get money for work you do'. Use earn : people earning less than £10,000 per year | How much does he earn?

Gain means to get something useful or necessary, whether or not you deserve it : I have gained a lot of useful experience. | Her problems seem to have gained her more support from the public.

Use earn rather than gain to say that you get something because you deserve it : Through hard work you will earn the respect of your colleagues.

Get can be used as a less formal way of saying gain or earn : I get $20 an hour. | He has started to get a reputation for being awkward.

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gain ²

gain² W3 n

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1¦(advantage )¦

2¦(increase)¦

3¦(profit)¦

4 ill-gotten gains

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1.) ¦(ADVANTAGE )¦

an advantage or improvement, especially one achieved by planning or effort

▪ The party made considerable gains at local elections.

gain in

▪ substantial gains in efficiency

gain from

▪ the potential gains from improved marketing

gain to/for

▪ There are obvious gains for the student.

2.) ¦(INCREASE)¦ [U and C]

an increase in the amount or level of something

≠ ↑loss gain in

▪ a gain in weekly output

gain of

▪ Retail sales showed a gain of 0.4%.

▪ The Democratic Party needed a net gain of only 20 votes.

▪ Eating too many fatty goods could cause weight gain .

3.) ¦(PROFIT)¦[U]

financial profit, especially when this seems to be the only thing someone is interested in

≠ ↑loss

financial/economic/capital etc gain

▪ They are seeking to realize the maximum financial gain.

gain of

▪ a pre-tax gain of $20 million

for gain

▪ Such research should not be for personal gain.

→↑capital gains

4.) ill-gotten gains

money or advantages obtained dishonestly - used humorously