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Glite Dictionary
key to combating

key to combating

3.9
An important thing or action that helps deal with a problem
  • idiom
translation icon : clave para combatir
  • Access to mental health resources is the key to combating the effects of stress.

Examples

  • Education is the key to combating misinformation in today's society.

  • Has the key to combating the

    Blog text (2)

  • Collaboration between communities is the key to combating poverty effectively.

Synonyms

solution to
vskey to combating
281 2.7

An answer that fixes a problem or difficulty

emphasizes the crucial factor or method needed to handle a problem successfully
the key to
vskey to combating
228 2.8

The main thing that makes something succeed or work

focuses on what helps successfully deal with a specific problem or challenge

How Effective

key to combating
3.9
strategy
∞ 3.7
measure
  • Formal
823 3.8

Surface Forms

key to combating singular
keys to combating plural

Morphology

key + to + combat

The phrase 'key to combating' is compositionally transparent: 'key' conveys something essential, 'to' marks the target, and 'combating' (from 'combat') means fighting or addressing a problem, so a learner who knows those words can infer 'an essential factor for fighting or dealing with X'. This noun + to + gerund pattern is common across languages and follows standard English composition, making the meaning readily derivable for a B1 learner.

Etymology

The phrase key to combating comes from the simple image of a real key that opens a lock so you can reach and fight a problem. That's why it means 'an essential way to deal with a problem'.