barracuda
/,bærə'ku:də/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A predatory marine fish: A barracuda is a large, aggressive, saltwater fish known for its fearsome appearance and hunting behavior. It belongs to the genus Sphyraena.
- Physical characteristics: It typically has a long, cylindrical, silver-colored body, a pointed head with a large mouth, and a prominent lower jaw filled with sharp, fang-like teeth.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- We saw a large barracuda lurking near the coral reef.
- The barracuda's sharp teeth make it an efficient predator.
- Barracudas are often solitary hunters.
Advanced Usage
- Metaphorical use for a person: In informal contexts, "barracuda" can describe a ruthless, aggressive, or predatory person, often in business or competitive situations.
- In the corporate world, she gained a reputation as a real barracuda.
Variants and Related Words
- Great barracuda (): The common name for the most well-known and widespread species.
- Barracouta: An archaic or regional spelling variant, also used for a different type of fish (the snoek).
Synonyms
- Predator: A more general term for an animal that hunts and kills others for food.
- Game fish: A term for fish pursued by anglers for sport, which includes barracuda.
Related Phrases
- "Like a barracuda": A simile used to describe someone acting with sudden, aggressive speed or ruthlessness.
- He went after the deal like a barracuda.
Related Idioms
- While there are no common idioms centered solely on the word "barracuda," the term itself is powerfully evocative and often used in the metaphorical phrases described above.
Noun
- any voracious marine fish of the genus Sphyraena having an elongated cylindrical body and large mouth with projecting lower jaw and long strong teeth