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figures

n. · v. · interj.
US //ˈfɪɡjɝz// UK //fˈɪɡəz// fig·ures
  1. 1 numbers and data (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    numbers that give information about a situation, especially in business or science.

    numerical data or statistics, often used in financial or technical reporting.

    Example

    The latest sales figures show that the company is growing quickly.

    Example

    The government released the employment figures this morning, revealing a slight but steady decline in the jobless rate over the last quarter.

  2. 2 body shapes (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the shapes of people's bodies.

    the external form or shape of a human body, typically in relation to its proportions.

    Example

    The two figures walked slowly through the thick fog.

    Example

    The artist spent years studying how to capture human figures in motion, focusing on the tension in the muscles during a sprint.

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  1. 3 to be expected (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to be logical or what you expected to happen, often used when something goes wrong.

    to be consistent with expectations or logic; frequently used in the third-person singular to express cynical acceptance.

    Example

    It figures that it would start raining just as we arrived at the beach.

    Example

    It figures that the one day I forget my keys is the same day my roommate decides to stay out late.

  2. 4 that's typical (interj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a short phrase used to say you are not surprised that something bad happened.

    a colloquial exclamation used to indicate that an unfortunate event is typical or expected.

    Example

    The bus is late again? Figures.

    Example

    The printer jammed right before the meeting started. Figures.

Idioms2 entries

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