run food service; provide meals; start cooking; open fire
Meanings
4 senses · 13 examplesverb
to run a food service; to manage catering (for an institution)
Refers to institutional food service operations, such as schools, military units, or companies running their own cafeterias.
School just started, and the school hasn't started its cafeteria service yet.
The new recruits' camp will start food service next week.
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Our unit runs its own cafeteria; we don't outsource.
verb
to provide meals; to supply food service (at specific times)
Often used to indicate whether meals are served at certain times (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
This school's cafeteria only has food at noon; it doesn't serve breakfast or dinner.
Their unit serves three meals a day.
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During winter construction, the site provides lunch only; breakfast and dinner are on your own.
verb
to start cooking; to begin preparing a meal
Common in daily life contexts when referring to the act of beginning to cook food at home or in small groups.
Mom, I'm hungry, start cooking soon!
He starts cooking to prepare breakfast at 6 a.m. every day.
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Wait until the guests arrive before starting to cook, otherwise the food will get cold.
verb
to open fire; to shoot; to fire a weapon
Military or combat context. Can be literal (shooting guns) or metaphorical (starting an attack).
The commander ordered to open fire.
A crossfire incident occurred at the border of the two countries yesterday.
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After negotiations failed, both sides opened fire.
Do not act rashly unless I give the order to open fire.