corner

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a difficult situation where it is hard to escape or make a choice.

n. a position of difficulty or embarrassment from which escape is difficult.

“His lies finally backed him into a corner.”

“The sudden withdrawal of funding painted the executive into a corner, leaving her with no choice but to resign.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Finance Technical

n. having enough control over a product or stock to change its price.

n. a sufficient interest in a salable security or commodity to allow the party to influence or manipulate prices.

“The company has a corner on the local coffee market.”

“By quietly acquiring smaller competitors, the conglomerate established a corner on the rare-earth minerals market.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Sports

n. a free kick from the corner of the field in football.

n. a corner kick awarded to the attacking team when the ball leaves the field of play over the goal line.

“The striker scored a goal directly from a corner.”

“The defender headed the ball behind the goal line, conceding a corner in the final minute of the match.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to force a person or animal into a place they cannot escape from.

v. to drive or force a person or animal into a confined space or a position from which escape is impossible.

“The police cornered the suspect in an alleyway.”

“The reporters cornered the politician outside the courthouse, demanding a statement regarding the recent scandal.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to drive a car or bike around a curve or corner.

v. to handle or manage a vehicle while moving around a curve or corner in a road.

“The sports car corners very well even at high speeds.”

“The motorcycle was designed to corner aggressively, allowing the rider to maintain momentum through tight hairpins.”