Power

have power

The authorities have the power to cancel the march if they think it will lead to civil disobedience.

use power

The police used their powers under the Public Order Act to remove the protesters who were blocking the entrance to the nuclear power station.

fall from power

When one politician falls from power, another comes to power in their place.

return to power

After four years out of government, the Socialist Party is expected to be returned to power in the forthcoming election.

seize power

The President was ousted from power yesterday when rebel soldiers seized power in a bloodless coup.

give power

The aim of the new legislation is to give people more power over their own lives.

abuse of power

The mayor has been arrested on charge of corruption and abuse of power.

trappings of power

He enjoyed the trapping of power, such as chauffeur-driven cars and five-star hotels.

rise to power

Her rapid rise of power surprised many people.

positions of power

There is certainly a shortage of women in positions of power, but plans are being made to change this.

hunger for power

Like so many politician, he had an insatiable hunger for power.

balance of power

The new employment laws mean that the balance of power has shifted away from workers towards employers.

grip on power

The army refuse to hand over power to the civilian government. it is obviously reluctant to relax its grip on power.

destructive power

The destructive power of modern weapons is terrifying.

enormous power

She held a senior position and wielded enormous power over the Prime Minister.

mysterious power

I don’t know why Helen does everything Mark says. He seems to have some mysterious power over her.

sweeping power

During the crisis, the security forces were given sweeping powers to search people and their homes.

creative power

As an artist, he was at the height of his powers in his forties.

absolute power

Mugabe was a ruthless dictator who ended up exercising absolute power over Zimbabwe.

power of concentration

Chess is a game that requires great powers of concentration.

power of advertising

No one can doubt the persuasive power of advertising – especially on TV.

power of speech

My father had a stroke and lost the power of speech for a few months, but he can communicate quite well now.

power of positive thinking

He claims that his recovery from illness demonstrates the power of positive thinking – the power of the mind over the body.

 

Notes

• Note the following expressions:

The government has promised to do everything in its power to combat terrorism.

There’s a power struggle going on at the top of the Labour Party.

• We talk about ‘nuclear power, steam power’ etc.