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phase

Definition

  • noun: a part or step in a process
  • noun: a particular appearance or state in a regularly recurring cycle of changes
  • verb: to adjust so as to be in a synchronized condition
  • used in the phrases 'in phase' or 'out of phase'
  • synonyms: faze, disconcert, nonplus

Examples

  • She's going through a punk 'phase' right now. [=she likes punk music and fashion at this point in her life]

  • The sound on this movie is 'out of phase'. [=the sound does not match the images of the movie]

  • He seems to be 'out of phase' [=('US') 'out of step'] with the rest of the team.

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) But they're not offing each other in record numbers all over America. Look at the statistics, for chrissakes. One in every three black males is in some phase of the correctional system. Is that a coincidence or do these people have a racial commitment to crime? Not only that. They're proud of it. (..)
    1998 American History X