flexible instrument

collocation in English

meaningsofflexibleandinstrument

These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withinstrument.
flexible
adjective
uk
/ˈflek.sə.bəl/us
/ˈflek.sə.bəl/
able to change or be changed easily according to ...
See more atflexible
instrument
noun[C]
uk
/ˈɪn.strə.mənt/us
/ˈɪn.strə.mənt/
an object, such as a piano, guitar, or drum, that is played to produce ...
See more atinstrument

(Definition offlexibleandinstrumentfrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)

Examplesofflexible instrument

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
The last-port rule had proved aflexibleinstrument, then, which might be interpreted or ignored to protect sailors' interests.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Instead of a rigid set of principles, what the framers gave us was aflexibleinstrumentconcerned with functions and the practice of government.
From theCambridge English Corpus
This was a highlyflexibleinstrumentof authority which, one suspects, was probably resorted to only after the failure of communal and neighbourly reconciliation.
From theCambridge English Corpus
A gastroscope is a specialflexibleinstrumentthat can be slid down into the stomach.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Aflexibleinstrument(gastroscope) can be introduced into the stomach to inspect the mucous membrane and detect organic changes such as ulcers and cancer.
From theCambridge English Corpus
It will be aflexibleinstrumentand one which we have been in need of for some time.
FromEuroparl Parallel Corpus - English
First, it is aflexibleinstrumentwhich can be varied for areas of under-employment or for areas of over-employment.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
On the other hand, if we proceeded with aircraft carriers, we should have a moreflexibleinstrument.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
This is aflexibleinstrumentand is already showing that it is working well.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I believe that private enterprise is a much moreflexibleinstrumentto use than municipal control.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It gives a moreflexibleinstrumentthan a piece of primary legislation.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Certainly we alone are not to blame for turning what should have been aflexibleinstrumentof policy into a straitjacket.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It was therefore a much moreflexibleinstrumentof taxation with the additional advantage that it did not add to inflation.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I was puzzled by that because, if ever there was aflexibleinstrumentof government, it is the sporting events.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It was decided to finance these new needs with aflexibleinstrumentunder section 2, but over a period of two years.
FromEuroparl Parallel Corpus - English
I think that thisflexibleinstrumentis so clearly limited now that it can be accepted.
FromEuroparl Parallel Corpus - English
I agree that taxation is a quicker and moreflexibleinstrumentfrom that point of view.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
The implication of his remarks was that the result of that new thinking might make unnecessary the sort offlexibleinstrumentrepresented by the regulator.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
It should be aflexibleinstrumentto deal with situations as they arise.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Want to learn more?
Go to the definition offlexible
Go to the definition ofinstrument
See other collocations withinstrument