2) To gradually get more and more of a quality, feeling etc, especially a useful or valuable one:

to gain a lot of experience (knowledge about sth);

Many of his ideas have gained popular support. The youngsters gradually gain confidence in their abilities. It took her a long time to gain enough confidence to speak in public. She stayed in the job for five years, gaining valuable experience.

to expand – 1) to become larger in size, number, or amount, or to make something become larger, opposite contract;

Water expands as it freezes. Metals expand when they are heated. Sydney's population expanded rapidly in the 1960s. The university is planning to expand the number of students to over 20,000.

2 ) if a company, business etc expands, or if someone expands it, they open new shops, factories:

The computer industry has expanded greatly over the last decade. The hotel wants to expand its business by adding a swimming pool. The business was growing rapidly and beginning to expand abroad.

to require – 1) to need something:

to require any further information, to require for a local shop;

What's required is a complete reorganization of the system. Most house plants require regular watering.

2) if you are required to do or have something, a law or rule says you must do it or have it:

You are required by law to wear a seat belt. Regulations require that students attend at least 90% of the lectures. The bill failed to get the required number of votes. The job requires a college degree and a knowledge of computers.

an employer - a person, company, or organization that employs people:

The shoe factory is the largest employer in this area. We will need a reference from your last employer before we can send you a contract.

an employee - someone who is paid to work for someone else, synonym worker:

The restrooms are for employees only. We are a multi-national corporation with 140,000 employees worldwide.

employment - the condition of having a paid job:

terms and conditions of employment, employment agency, employment opportunities/prospects;

She was offered employment in the sales office. Steve's still looking for full-time employment. Are you in full-time employment, Mr Edwards? I have not yet signed a contract of employment.

to sack - to dismiss someone from their job, synonym fire:

They couldn't sack me - I'd done nothing wrong. He was sacked from every other job he had. He was sacked for being drunk.

the sack - when someone is dismissed from their job:

to give sb the sack, to give the sack for sth, to get the sack;

They've never actually given anyone the sack. He got the sack for stealing.

to fire - to force someone to leave their job, synonym sack:

to be (get) fired;

She didn't want to get fired. I've just been fired from my job, and I don't know what to do. The airline fired him for being drunk. You’re fired!

to hire - to employ someone for a short time to do a particular job:

Employers hire skilled people on fixed-term contracts.

to quit (quit / quitted – quitting) - 1) to leave a job, school etc, especially without finishing it completely:

He quit his job after an argument with a colleague. I quit school at 16. She has decided to quit show business. I've always regretted quitting piano lessons. She quite her job and went traveling in South America.