phase

phase¹ W2 [feız] n

[Date: 1800-1900; : Modern Latin; Origin: phasis, from Greek, 'appearance of a star, phase of the moon', from phanein 'to show, appear']

1.) one of the stages of a process of development or change

▪ a new drug that is in the experimental phase

phase of

▪ The first phase of renovations should be finished by January.

in phases

▪ The work will be carried out in phases.

▪ It's just a phase he's going through .

2.) out of phase (with sth)

BrE not happening together in the right way

▪ Nizan's views were out of phase with the political climate of the time.

3.) in phase (with sth)

BrE happening together in the right way

▪ The electrical work will be carried out in phase with the other renovations.

4.) technical one of a fixed number of changes in the appearance of the moon or a ↑planet when it is seen from the Earth

phase ²

phase² v [T usually passive]

to make something happen gradually in a planned way

▪ The closure of the regional offices was phased over an 18-month period.

▪ a phased withdrawal of military forces

phase in [phase sth<=>in] phr v

to gradually start using a new system, law, process etc

▪ The new tests will be phased in over the next two years.

phase out [phase sth<=>out] phr v

to gradually stop using or providing something

▪ The subsidy for company cars is to be phased out next year.