Europe
[See European a. and n.]
Used ellipt. and allusively with reference to membership of the European Economic Community (the Common Market).
| 1957 Times 8 Oct. 11/7 The defeat shortly after this success of the plan for a European Defence Community was a setback for ‘Europe’. 1962 Listener 8 Feb. 240/1 The decision to go into Europe. 1970 Guardian 28 Nov. 5/8 Mr. Shore scornfully dismissed the arguments of those who feared there was no future for Britain outside Europe. 1977 [see Europarliament s.v. Euro- 2 b]. 1980 B. Castle Castle Diaries 160 It isn't only Europe. It is a question of whether this country is going to cut itself off from the Western Alliance and go isolationist. |
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▸ Brit. Sport (chiefly Association Football). Used with reference to qualification for, or participation in, a European club competition.
| 1963 Times 16 May 4/2 So Tottenham were two up at half-time with one foot firmly in Europe a year hence. 1984 Financial Times (Nexis) 15 Sept. i. 13 [Queen's Park Rangers] last season finished fifth in the Canon League, were leading London club and qualified for Europe. 1996 Independent (Nexis) 13 Jan. 27 Both are incandescent at reports that the RFU would deny them a place in Europe if they ultimately finished in a qualifying place. 2001 FourFourTwo Aug. 70/2 The vital thing at home in Europe is to keep a clean sheet. |