Curb
/kə:b/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A restraint or check: Something that controls or limits something.
- A raised edge or border: Specifically, the stone or concrete edge of a sidewalk or road.
- A type of bit for a horse: A chain or strap attached to a horse's bit, used for control.
Verb:
- To restrain or keep in check: To control or limit something, often an emotion, desire, or activity.
- To force down or suppress: To put an end to something by authority.
- To lead (a dog) to the curb: To take a dog to the edge of the sidewalk to urinate or defecate.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- He needed a curb on his spending habits. (He needed a limit on his spending.)
- She tripped on the curb while walking. (She tripped on the raised edge of the sidewalk.)
- The rider adjusted the horse's curb. (The rider adjusted the chain on the horse's bit.)
Verb:
- You must learn to curb your enthusiasm. (You must learn to control your enthusiasm.)
- The government moved to curb inflation. (The government acted to limit inflation.)
- Please remember to curb your dog. (Please remember to take your dog to the gutter.)
Advanced Usage
- "to put/keep a curb on": To impose or maintain a restraint on something.
- The new law puts a curb on industrial pollution. (The new law imposes a limit on industrial pollution.)
Variants and Related Words
- Curbing (n): The material forming a curb, or the act of restraining.
- The city is replacing the old concrete curbing.
- Curbed (adj): Having been restrained or limited.
- His curbed ambition surprised everyone.
Synonyms
- Restrain (v): To hold back from action.
- Check (v/n): To stop or slow down; a stop or restraint.
- Suppress (v): To put an end to forcibly.
- Restriction (n): A limiting rule or circumstance.
- Kerb (n): British English spelling for the edge of a sidewalk.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases
- Curb in: This is not a standard phrasal verb. The verb "to curb" is typically used transitively (e.g., curb an impulse).
Related Idioms
- To strain at the curb: To be impatiently held back (an allusion to a horse restrained by its curb bit).
- The ambitious young executive was straining at the curb for a promotion. (He was impatiently held back, waiting for a promotion.)
Noun
- the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
- his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper
- a stock exchange in New York
- a horse's bit with an attached chain or strap to check the horse
- an edge between a sidewalk and a roadway consisting of a line of curbstones (usually forming part of a gutter)
Verb
- place restrictions on
- curtail drinking in school
- keep to the curb
- curb your dogs
- to put down by force or authority
- suppress a nascent uprising
- stamp down on littering
- conquer one's desires
- lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
- moderate your alcohol intake
- hold your tongue
- hold your temper
- control your anger