ENGLISH
REFERENCE

landslide

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɫænˌsɫaɪd// UK //lˈændslaɪd// land·slide

n. a large amount of rocks and earth that suddenly falls down a mountain or hill. It also describes an election victory where one person gets many more votes than their opponent.

n. the rapid downward movement of a mass of rock, earth, or debris; by extension, an overwhelming victory in an election. Often used metaphorically in political contexts to describe a decisive margin of success.


SIMPLE

The heavy rain caused a landslide that blocked the main road.

CONTEXTUAL

After the scandal was revealed, the opposition party won the local election in a landslide.

COMPLEX

Geologists warned that the deforestation of the hillside had significantly increased the risk of a catastrophic landslide during the upcoming monsoon season.

Synonyms
Origin

From land + slide.

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'in' when referring to political victories ('won in a landslide').

Idioms1 entry

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