Nil meaning in English

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Definition

(We lost) 11 goals to nil: (We lost) by 11 goals, 11 - 0, eleven goals to zero, eleven - nothing idiom
nil: zero, nothing, naught, zilch none

Examples

  • "However the Togolese did receive some good news today as their football team defeated the heavily favored Irish side 2 goals to nil."
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks below with terms used in this broadcast

1. This term describes a conference, usually between high-level political leaders. It can also refer to the peak or very top of a mountain. "The on nuclear weapons took place in Geneva".

2. This term describes the ceremony linked with the death or burial of a person. During this ceremony, a dead body is often lowered into the ground. "Many people attended the of Princess Diana."

3. This term describes "nothing" or "zero". We often use the term in a sporting context to indicate that one team didn't score a goal or point. "In the quarter finals of the World Cup, Brazil didn't score any goals. They lost to France, 1 goal to ."

Fill in the blanks below with terms used in this broadcast

1. This term describes a conference, usually between high-level political leaders. It can also refer to the peak or very top of a mountain. "The summit 1 on nuclear weapons took place in Geneva".

2. This term describes the ceremony linked with the death or burial of a person. During this ceremony, a dead body is often lowered into the ground. "Many people attended the funeral 2 of Princess Diana."

3. This term describes "nothing" or "zero". We often use the term in a sporting context to indicate that one team didn't score a goal or point. "In the quarter finals of the World Cup, Brazil didn't score any goals. They lost to France, 1 goal to nil 3."
1 summit: "A summit" describes a meeting between high-ranking people, generally leaders or politicians who meet to debate or resolve an issue. In this broadcast, Moira reports that the Togolese defense minister was shot and killed during an "annual summit on non-violence". The summit also describes the highest point or "peak" of something like a mountain.
2 funeral: A "funeral" is the ceremony to celebrate the life and death of someone. In this broadcast, Moira reports that there will be a funeral procession for the assassinated Togolese defense minister. The procession refers to the march (or parade) of people who will walk with the coffin (a chamber for the body). Generally, at a funeral someone or multiple people speak or recite speeches to commemorate the dead, and a coffin is lowered into a tomb or in to the ground (if the person is buried or interred). This can also be called a "burial".
3 nil: The term "nil" describes zero, or the absence of a quantity. This term is often used to describe a sporting event where one person or team did not score or mark a point or goal. The term "nil" is much more common in Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand than it is in America. Note that in English, a match where both teams score the same amount of goals (0-0, 1-1, 2-2) is called a "tie" or a "draw".

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