Any vulnerability in an organization's security might end up triggering a series of events that could prove catastrophic /ˌkætə'strɑfɪk/ to the business.
verb /pruv/
1
to show that something is true by providing facts, information etc. → proof
to show the existence, truth, or correctness of (something) by using evidence, logic, etc. opposite DISPROVE
[show sth is true] to use facts, evidence, etc. to show that sth is true. OPP disprove.
to show a particular result after a period of time.
to show that something is true.
to provide evidence that shows that something is true.
to show that something is true using the principles of mathematics or science.
If you prove that something is true, you show by means of argument or evidence that it is definitely true.
You’re wrong, and I can prove it.
prove (that)
Tests have proved that the system works.
prove something to somebody
I knew he had done it, but there was no way I could prove it to Eddie.
prove somebody’s guilt/innocence
He claims the police destroyed records that could prove the officer’s guilt.
prove somebody wrong/innocent etc
They say I’m too old, but I’m going to prove them all wrong.
To prove his point (=show that he was right), he mentioned several other experiments which had produced similar results.
GRAMMAR
You prove something to someone.
I will prove to you that I’m right.
✗Don’t say:
I will prove you that I’m right.
The charges against him were never proved in court.
The government failed to prove its case.
We have evidence that will prove his guilt. = We have evidence that will prove that he is guilty.
It could not be proven that the suspect stole the money.
A person who is charged with a crime is considered innocent until proved/proven guilty.
mathematiciansˌ/mæθəmə'tɪʃən/ trying to prove a theorem /'θiərəm/
He climbed the mountain just to prove [=show] (that) he could.
I've accomplished everything I wanted to;I've got nothing left to prove.[=I do not have to do anything more to show that I am skillful, successful, etc.]
They hope this new evidence will prove her innocence.
‘I know you're lying.’ ‘Prove it!’
I certainly don't have anything to prove—my record speaks for itself.
Just give me a chance and I'll prove it to you.
This proves (that) I was right.
In this country, you are innocent until proved guilty.
You've just proved yourself to be a liar.
This just proves what I have been saying for some time.
Can it be proved that he did commit these offences?
The operation proved a complete success.
The dispute over the song rights proved impossible to resolve.
They suspected that she'd killed him but they could never actually prove that it was her.
Under the present system, you're innocent until proven guilty.
"I spent thirty pounds in the pub last night." "That just goes to prove what an idiot you are!"
Computers have been used to prove mathematical theorems. /'θiərəm/
He's so aggressive - it's as if he's always trying to prove something.
You have to prove you are sorry for what you’ve done.
She was determined to prove to her parents that she could live on her own.
You brought this charge. You prove it! I have nothing to say.
The results prove that regulation of the salmon/'sæmən/ farming industry is inadequate/ɪn'ædɪkwət/.
trying to prove how groups of animals have evolved.
That made me hopping mad and determined to prove him wrong.
History will prove him to have been right all along.
a proven cause of cancer.
2
if someone or something proves difficult, helpful, a problem etc, they are difficult, helpful, a problem etc.
to show that (someone or something) has a particular quality, ability, etc.
linking verb : to turn out to be - used to say that something or someone is eventually found to have a particular quality, ability, etc.
linking verb : if sth proves dangerous, expensive, etc. or if it proves to be dangerous, etc, you discover that it is dangerous, etc. over a period of time. SYN turn out.
[linking verb] if something proves to have a particular quality, things happen that show it has that quality.
If something proves to be true or to have a particular quality, it becomes clear after a period of time that it is true or has that quality.
The recent revelations/'rɛvə'leʃən/ may prove embarrassing to the president.
We have evidence that will prove him (to be) guilty. [=that will prove that he is guilty]
The tests proved the vaccine to be effective.
Her second album was a hit that proved her critics wrong.[hit =something such as a film, play, song etc that is very popular and successful]
prove to be something
The design proved to be a success.
GRAMMAR: Linking verbs
Prove is a linking verb in this meaning. This type of verb links the subject of the sentence with an adjective or noun:
· The task proved difficult.
· He has proved a loyal friend.
You can also say:
· The task proved to be difficult.
· He has proved to be a loyal friend.
The new drug may prove (to be) beneficial/ˌbɛnɪ'fɪʃl//effective.
The vaccine has proven (to be) effective after years of tests.
It may prove difficult/impossible to do this.
The report of the war's end proved (to be) false.
The book should prove helpful to many people.
The new system could prove to be as bad as the old one was.
The opposition proved too strong for him.
It was proving extremely difficult to establish the truth.
Shares in the industry proved a poor investment.
His lack of experience may prove a problem in a crisis.
The promotion proved to be a turning point in his career.
Their fears proved to be groundless. [groundless = not based on facts or reason]
The new treatment has proved to be a disaster.
They proved him innocent/guilty.
That theory was proved false.
For ten years he has been fighting to prove his innocence.
Recent excellent results have proved their critics wrong.
My decision proved to be a good one.
The film is proving very profitable.
His injuries proved fatal (=he died of them) .
We have been accused of exaggerating before, but unfortunately all our reports proved to be true.
In the past this process of transition has often proven difficult.
an experiment which was to prove a source of inspiration/ˌɪnspə'reʃən/ for many years to come.
3
prove yourself/prove something (to somebody)
to show how good you are at doing something.
to show that you are able to do something or to succeed.
to show other people how good you are at doing sth or that you are capable of doing sth.
to show other people that you are a particular type of person or that you have a particular quality.
to show that you are good at something.
to show that you are able to do something or to succeed.
If you prove yourself to have a certain good quality, you show by your actions that you have it.
When I first started this job, I felt I had to prove myself.
She was eager to prove herself in her new job.
She has proven herself (to be) capable of excellent work. [=she has shown that she is capable of excellent work]
She was determined to prove everyone wrong.
He constantly feels he has to prove himself to others.
He proved himself determined to succeed.
I wish he'd stop trying to prove himself all the time.
She was eager to prove herself in her new job.
As a composer/kəm'pozɚ/ he proved himself adept at large dramatic forms.[adept = good at something that needs care and skill SYN skilful]
A man needs time to prove himself.
Few would argue that this team has experience and proven ability. [argue = 2. to state, giving clear reasons, that something is true, should be done etc]
4
prove yourself (to be) something
to show other people that you are a particular type of person.
She’s proved herself to be a very reliable worker.
She has proven herself (to be) capable of excellent work. [=she has shown that she is capable of excellent work]
Margaret proved herself to be a good mother.
5
what is somebody trying to prove?
[spoken] said when you are annoyed by someone’s actions and do not understand them.
What are you trying to prove by behaving so recklessly? [=why are you behaving so recklessly?] [reckless /'rɛkləs/ = not caring or worrying about the possible bad or dangerous results of your actions]
What are you trying to prove?
6
prove a point
have something to prove/ have a point to prove
if someone does something to prove a point, they do it to show that they are right or that they can do something.
to try to show people how good, strong, intelligent etc you are because you think they do not realize it.
If you prove a point, you show other people that you know something or can do something, although your action may have no other purpose.
I’m not going to run the marathon/'mærə,θɑn/ just to prove a point.
He's willing to do almost anything to prove a point. [=to show that he is right about something]
To prove her point, shegot outthe old research.
He felt he needed to prove his point(= show other people that he was right).
Are you just doing this to prove a point?
The team felt they had something to prove and played brilliantly.
It seemed pretty pointless to me to make a 3,000 mile detour simply to prove a point. [pointless = worthless or not likely to have any useful result]
7
BREAD if dough (=unbaked bread mixture) proves, it rises and becomes light because of the yeast in it.
to swell before being baked because of the action of yeast.
if bread proves, it increases in size before it is baked because of the yeast it contains
8
LAW to show that a will has been made in the correct way.
the exception proves the rule
provable adjective
The case will not be easily provable.
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