Online OXFORD Collocation Dictionary

issue noun

¹ problem

ADJ. big, burning, central, critical, crucial, important, key, main, major, vital Europe remains the burning issue within the party. | wider The problem raises wider issues of gender and identity. | minor, side | basic, fundamental | real The real issue is where the power lies. | contentious, controversial, difficult, thorny the controversial issue of censorship | complex | live, unresolved The strike of ten years ago is still very much a live issue in the town. | domestic, global, international, local, national, regional | commercial, constitutional, economic, educational, environmental, ethical, health, moral, policy, political, social, technical, theoretical

QUANT. number, range, series

VERB + ISSUE raise | debate, discuss This evening we're debating the issue of the legalization of soft drugs. | decide, settle A referendum was held to settle the issue. | address, consider, deal with, examine, explore, look at, tackle | clarify | focus on We really need to focus on this one issue and not get sidetracked. | touch on The issue of birth control was touched on, but we need to examine it in more detail. | highlight The report highlights three issues. | confuse This argument should not be allowed to confuse the issue. | avoid, evade

ISSUE + VERB arise issues arising from the survey | underlie sth A more important issue underlies this debate.

PREP. at ~ What you say is interesting, but it does not affect the point at issue here. | on an/the ~ She spoke on the issue of private health care. | ~ about fundamental issues about working conditions | ~ concerning issues concerning the environment | ~ relating to The conference examined key issues relating to the reform.

² one in a series of publications

ADJ. current | back | special a special issue of stamps

VERB + ISSUE bring out, publish

ISSUE + VERB come out, go on sale | be out

PREP. in an/the ~ an article in the current issue of ‘Newsweek’

issue verb

ADV. formally the bank which formally issues and handles these credit cards | directly The safest cheques are those issued directly by the bank?known as bankers' draughts. | jointly a document issued jointly by the Treasury and the Home Office | immediately, promptly He left the company and promptly issued a writ claiming $45 million in damages.

PREP. against (formal) Arrest warrants were issued against 16 of the protesters. | on behalf of a statement issued on behalf of the UN Secretary-General | to The new guidelines have been issued to all doctors. | with Some of the police were issued with rifles.

PHRASES newly issued newly issued banknotes