to give sb a general idea of

  • 1idea — i•de•a [[t]aɪˈdi ə, aɪˈdiə[/t]] n. 1) any conception existing in the mind as a result of mental understanding, awareness, or activity 2) a thought, conception, or notion 3) an impression: Give me a general idea of what happened[/ex] 4) an opinion …

    From formal English to slang

  • 2idea — i|dea W1S1 [aıˈdıə] n ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(plan/suggestion)¦ 2¦(knowledge)¦ 3¦(aim/intention)¦ 4¦(how you imagine something to be)¦ 5¦(belief/opinion)¦ 6¦(principle)¦ 7 have an idea (that) 8 get the wrong idea 9 have the right idea …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 3idea — noun 1 PLAN/SUGGESTION (C) a plan or suggestion for a possible course of action, especially one that you think of suddenly (+ for): What gave you the idea for the book? (+ of): What do you think about John s idea of recruiting two new people? |… …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • 4general — gen|er|al1 [ dʒen(ə)rəl ] adjective *** ▸ 1 not specific/detailed ▸ 2 relevant to most cases ▸ 3 true of whole of something ▸ 4 dealing with all of something ▸ 5 responsible for whole ▸ + PHRASES 1. ) not specific, exact, or detailed: Could you… …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 5general — generalness, n. /jen euhr euhl/, adj. 1. of or pertaining to all persons or things belonging to a group or category: a general meeting of the employees. 2. of, pertaining to, or true of such persons or things in the main, with possible… …

    Universalium

  • 6general — 1 adjective 1 NOT DETAILED describing only the main features of something, not the details: a general introduction to computing | general idea: I ve got a general idea of how I want the new room to look. | in general terms (=without considering… …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • 7general — I UK [ˈdʒen(ə)rəl] / US adjective *** 1) not specific, exact, or detailed Could you just give us a general description of the work you do? Her predictions are so general that they could apply to anybody. in general terms: We are prepared to… …

    English dictionary

  • 8give — givable, giveable, adj., n. givee, n. giver, n. /giv/, v., gave, given, giving, n. v.t. 1. to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; bestow: to give a birthday present to someone. 2. to hand to someone: Give me that plate, please …

    Universalium

  • 9give — [[t]gɪv[/t]] v. gave, giv•en, giv•ing, n. 1) to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation: to give a birthday present to someone[/ex] 2) to hand to someone: Give me that plate, please[/ex] 3) to place in someone s care: I gave the… …

    From formal English to slang

  • 10general*/*/*/ — [ˈdʒen(ə)rəl] adj I 1) not specific, exact, or detailed Could you just give us a general description of the work you do?[/ex] I m probably not making myself very clear, but you get the general idea.[/ex] 2) involving or true for most people,… …

    Dictionary for writing and speaking English