Unfortunately, we were going in the wrong direction
general
I fired in the general direction of the officer's head, and missed
unexpected
Support came from an unexpected direction
anti-clockwise, clockwise
Turn the dial in a clockwise direction
downward, upward
These figures may have to be revised in an upward direction
northerly, southerly, etc.
The current flows in a south-easterly direction
wind
When sailing, keep a constant check on changes in wind direction
VERB + DIRECTION
take
Which direction do we have to take?
change, reverse
The wind had changed direction. What happens if you reverse the direction of the current?
flow in, go (off) in
head in, move in, travel in
The convoy is moving in the direction of the capital
veer off in
While he was studying in Paris, his thinking suddenly veered off in a new direction
come from/in
He was hit by a lorry coming in the opposite direction
face (in)
I didn't see the accident because I was facing in the opposite direction
glance in, look in, nod in, point in
She glanced in his direction. 'Look!' she said, pointing in the direction of the coast
nudge sb in, point sb in (figurative)
We have to nudge politicians in the right direction. I can't come with you, but I can point you in the general direction
pull (sb/sth) in (often figurative)
There are different considerations, often pulling in different directions
PREP
from a/the ~
There was shriek of laughter from the direction of Sarah's room. Let's approach the subject from a different direction
in a/the ~
The aircraft was flying in a northerly direction
PHRASES
the direction of flow/movement/travel
I prefer to be facing the direction of travel
the direction of sb's gaze
She followed the direction of his gaze
from/in all/both directions
The blast sent debris flying in all directions. The road was blocked in both directions
a glance/nod in sb/sth's direction
People passed by without a glance in her direction. (figurative) The report gives a brief nod in the direction of green issues before coming down firmly on the side of the market
The party must take a new direction if it is to survive
right, wrong
clear
No clear direction in policy can be identified
future
the debate about the future direction of socialism
policy
VERB + DIRECTION
take
It is hard to know which direction the Church will take
change
It's time to change direction and find a new job
go in, move in
At least things are moving in the right direction now
PHRASES
a change of direction
This was a major change of direction for Britain's foreign policy
a step in the (right/wrong) direction
The new law is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, but it doesn't go far enough. The first step in this direction will be by way of discussion with the unions