borrow

1 [VN] ~ sth (from sb/sth) to take and use sth that belongs to sb else, and return it to them at a later time: Can I borrow your umbrella? * Members can borrow up to ten books from the library at any one time. compareLEND 2 ~ (sth) (from sb/sth) to take money from a person or bank and agree to pay it back to them at a later time: [VN] How much did you have to borrow to pay for this? * She borrowed ｣2000 from her parents. * [V] I don't like to borrow from friends. compareLEND 3 ~ (sth) (from sb/sth) to take words, ideas, etc. from another language, person, etc. and use them, as your own: [V] The author borrows heavily from Henry James. * [VN] Some musical terms are borrowed from Italian. IDIOMS be (living) on borrowed time 1 to still be alive after the time when you were expected to die: He's been living on borrowed time ever since his last heart attack. 2 to be doing sth that other people are likely to soon stop you from doing: According to the latest opinion polls, the government is living on borrowed time. ______________________________ WHICHWORD? borrow / lend These two words are often confused. You borrow something from someone else, while they lend it to you: Can I borrow your pen? * Can I borrow a pen from you? * Here, I'll lend you my pen. ______________________________