lobbying
gb/lˈɑbiɪŋ/ us/lˈɑbiɪŋ/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
action
1
influencing political decisions
Lobbying is trying to persuade people in power, especially government officials, to make the decision you want.
Usage pattern:
lobbying by [someone]; lobbying for/against [something]; lobbying on behalf of [someone]
Common mistake:
Lobbying is usually uncountable: say “lobbying” or “a lobbying campaign,” not “a lobbying.” It does not necessarily mean bribery.
Synonyms
advocacy (Broader; can include public support and campaigning, not only influencing officials.)
|
pressure campaign (Often sounds more forceful or critical.)
|
influence campaign (Broader; may target public opinion as well as decision-makers.)
Collocations
political lobbying
|corporate lobbying
|intense lobbying
|heavy lobbying
|lobbying efforts
|lobbying campaign
|lobbying group
|lobbying firm
|lobbying rules
|lobbying ban
Themes
politics
|government
|law
|business
|public_policy
Examples
- The bill passed after months of lobbying by environmental groups.
- The company spent millions on lobbying in Washington.
- New rules require more transparency around lobbying and political donations.
Learner examples
- Lobbying can change laws.
- Many groups spend money on lobbying.
Verb
B2
action
2
trying to influence authorities
If you are lobbying for something, you are trying to persuade people in power to agree to it.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is lobbying [someone] for/against [something]; [someone] is lobbying to [do something]
Common mistake:
Use “for” when you support something and “against” when you oppose it: “lobbying for reform,” “lobbying against the bill.” You can also lobby the person you are trying to persuade: “lobby lawmakers.”
Synonyms
campaign (Often more public and sustained; less specifically directed at officials.)
|
advocate (Emphasizes supporting a cause or idea.)
|
press (Means to urge strongly, often with more pressure.)
Collocations
lobby hard
|lobby actively
|lobby Congress
|lobby the government
|lobby lawmakers
|lobby ministers
|lobby for change
|lobby against a proposal
|lobby to change the law
|lobby on behalf of clients
Themes
politics
|government
|business
|workplace
|advocacy
Examples
- Parents are lobbying the council for safer crossings near the school.
- The industry has been lobbying against stricter emissions limits.
- She is lobbying to get the policy changed before the vote.
Learner examples
- Students are lobbying for longer library hours.
- Farmers are lobbying the government for help.
Noun
business
B2
abstract
3
political influence profession
Lobbying can mean paid work where people try to influence government decisions for clients or organizations.
Usage pattern:
work in lobbying; go into lobbying; a career in lobbying
Common mistake:
Do not use “lobby” for the person; the person is a “lobbyist.” In “He works in lobbying,” lobbying is a field of work, not a place in a building.
Synonyms
government relations (Common business label, often softer or more formal than lobbying.)
|
public affairs (Broader; includes communications and policy work, not only lobbying.)
|
advocacy (Broader and may be unpaid or nonprofit.)
Collocations
work in lobbying
|go into lobbying
|a career in lobbying
|the lobbying industry
|paid lobbying
|professional lobbying
|lobbying work
|lobbying job
|lobbying career
|the world of lobbying
Themes
politics
|government
|business
|careers
Examples
- After leaving politics, she built a career in lobbying.
- Several former officials now work in lobbying and government relations.
- The report examines the growth of the lobbying industry.
Learner examples
- His new job is in lobbying.
- She wants a career in lobbying.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lobbying
IPA
GB/lˈɑbiɪŋ/
US/lˈɑbiɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
lob - by - ing (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (lob)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: lobbying
- Plural: lobbying, lobbyings
Expressions
direct lobbying
1/dɪɹˈɛkt lˈɑbiɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
direct contact with officials
Lobbying by speaking or writing directly to the officials who make decisions.
Examples
- Direct lobbying included meetings with ministers and written comments on the bill.
- Charities must report direct lobbying separately from other campaign activity.
- The company increased its direct lobbying after the proposal reached committee.
grassroots lobbying
1/ɡɹˈæsɹˈuts lˈɑbiɪŋ/
fixed phrase
citizen-based lobbying
Lobbying that uses ordinary people, not just professional lobbyists, to persuade leaders.
Examples
- The organization used grassroots lobbying, asking members to call their representatives.
- Grassroots lobbying helped turn a local issue into a national debate.
- The campaign combined social media outreach with grassroots lobbying.
lobbying ban
1/lˈɑbiɪŋ bˈæn/
fixed phrase
legal
rule against lobbying
A rule that stops someone from lobbying.
Examples
- The former minister faced a two-year lobbying ban after leaving office.
- Several cities introduced a lobbying ban for companies bidding on public contracts.
- The ethics committee said the adviser had violated the lobbying ban.
lobbying campaign
1/lˈɑbiɪŋ kæmpˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
organized influence effort
A planned effort to persuade decision-makers about a law or policy.
Examples
- Environmental charities launched a lobbying campaign to protect the river.
- The measure failed despite a well-funded lobbying campaign.
- The union ran a lobbying campaign for better safety standards.
lobbying disclosure
1/lˈɑbiɪŋ dɪsklˈoʊʒɚ/
fixed phrase
legal
reporting lobbying activity
Information that shows who is lobbying, what they are lobbying about, and sometimes how much money they spend.
Examples
- The law requires lobbying disclosure for anyone paid to influence federal legislation.
- Journalists used lobbying disclosure records to identify the company's clients.
- The reform package includes stricter lobbying disclosure rules.
lobbying firm
1/lˈɑbiɪŋ fˈɚm/
fixed phrase
business
paid lobbying business
A company that is paid to persuade government officials for its clients.
Examples
- The airline hired a lobbying firm to argue against the new tax.
- He registered as a consultant for a Washington lobbying firm.
- Several lobbying firms reported record revenue last year.
lobbying group
1/lˈɑbiɪŋ ɡɹˈup/
fixed phrase
organization influencing policy
A group that tries to persuade the government about an issue.
Examples
- The lobbying group represents small technology companies.
- A health lobbying group is pushing for stricter rules on tobacco ads.
- The senator met representatives from several lobbying groups before the vote.