Category: Verbs

[no object] to become gradually smaller toward one end leaves that taper to a point Her slacks taper  [=become narrower]  at the ankle. taper off [phrasal verb] to become gradually less and less : to decrease slowly Production has been Read More …

Like it sounds, to backpedal is to try to back up and fix a mistake, change what you said, or entirely take back what you said. That’s figurative backpedalling, and it’s usually awkward. Literal backpedalling can be graceful: it’s something Read More …

zip your lip US, informal or zip it to stop talking immediately Tell your sister to zip her lip! [=shut up] She angrily told him to zip it.

1 [+ object] : to show (something) Our records indicate a depth of 3,000 feet here. Studies indicate (that) this chemical could cause cancer. The map indicates where the treasure is buried. to show that (something) exists or is true Read More …

[+ object] 1 : to think of (someone or something) in a particular way He is highly regarded by his coworkers. [=his coworkers have a very high opinion of him] — often + as She regards him as a friend. Read More …

[no object] to draw something without thinking about what you are doing She doodled in her notebook instead of taking notes. — doodle noun, plural doodles [count] Her notebook was full of doodles.

[no object] 1 : to become less strong or intense The pain/swelling will subside in a couple of hours. After his anger had subsided, he was able to look at things rationally. We’ll have to wait until the wind/storm/rain subsides. Read More …

This word comes from a Latin one meaning “to tear into pieces.” To lacerate something is to cut, tear, or slice it in a deep, rough, irregular way. And figuratively speaking, to lacerate things or people is to hurt them Read More …

1 of an insect, plant, or animal : to hurt (someone) by piercing the skin with a sharp, pointed part that usually contains poison [+ object] I got stung by a bee. The jellyfish stung the swimmer. [no object] The Read More …