clear the throat
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To expel mucus or a small obstruction from the throat by making a short, forceful cough, often as a preparatory action before speaking.
Usage
- This verb phrase describes a specific, intentional physical action. It is typically used to indicate someone is preparing to speak, gain attention, or relieve minor throat discomfort.
- It is often followed by an action related to speaking.
- Grammatical Form: It functions as a phrasal verb. The object, when specified, is usually a possessive pronoun (e.g., , ).
Examples
- Verb:
- The speaker cleared his throat and began his presentation.
- She had to clear her throat several times because of the dust.
- Before answering the difficult question, he cleared his throat nervously.
Advanced Usage
- Used figuratively: Can imply a preparatory action or a pause before saying something important, awkward, or formal.
- The CEO cleared his throat, signaling a shift to the serious financial news.
Variants and Related Words
- Ahem (interjection): The sound representation of the act of clearing one's throat, often used in writing to indicate the action.
- "Ahem," he said, trying to get the room's attention.
- Hawk (verb): To clear the throat noisily and spit. This is a more forceful and less polite synonym.
- He hawked and spat into the gutter.
Synonyms
- Cough slightly: To make a small, deliberate cough.
- Hem (verb, archaic/formal): To clear the throat, often as an utterance. (e.g., )
Related Phrasal Verbs
(This is the target phrasal verb itself; no further breakdown is needed.)
Related Idioms
- Hem and haw: To hesitate or be evasive in speech, often involving the literal action of clearing one's throat ().
- Stop hemming and hawing and give me a direct answer.
Verb
- clear mucus or food from one's throat
- he cleared his throat before he started to speak