baulk
/bɔ:k/ Cách viết khác : (baulk) /bɔ:k/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A hindrance or obstacle: Something that prevents or delays progress or action.
- A large beam: A long, thick piece of timber or other material, especially one of several parallel beams supporting a roof.
- A designated area on a billiard table: The area behind the balkline on a billiard or pool table.
Verb:
- To refuse to proceed or comply: To stop and refuse to go on or act, often due to reluctance or fear.
- To hinder or thwart: To prevent someone from achieving a goal or to stop something from happening.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- His stubbornness was a major baulk to the negotiations. (His stubbornness was a major obstacle to the negotiations.)
- The carpenters replaced the rotten roof baulk. (The carpenters replaced the rotten roof beam.)
- The cue ball must be placed within the baulk. (The cue ball must be placed within the designated area.)
Verb:
- The horse baulked at the high fence. (The horse refused to jump the high fence.)
- The sudden cost overruns baulked their plans for expansion. (The sudden cost overruns thwarted their plans for expansion.)
Advanced Usage
- "To baulk at something": To hesitate or be unwilling to accept or do something.
- She baulked at the idea of working on weekends. (She was unwilling to accept the idea of working on weekends.)
Variants and Related Words
- Balk: The standard and more common spelling of "baulk," especially in American English. Both words share identical meanings and usage.
- Baulky (adj, less common): Describing something or someone that is likely to baulk or be obstructive.
- The baulky engine finally started. (The reluctant engine finally started.)
Synonyms
- Noun (obstacle): Hindrance, impediment, obstruction, barrier.
- Verb (refuse): Hesitate, recoil, jib, refuse.
- Verb (hinder): Thwart, frustrate, foil, impede.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Baulk at: To show reluctance or opposition towards something.
- Investors may baulk at the high risk. (Investors may show reluctance due to the high risk.)
Related Idioms
- Make a baulk of good ground: (Archaic) To miss or waste a good opportunity.
- By not investing then, he made a baulk of good ground. (By not investing then, he missed a great opportunity.)
Noun
- one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof
- something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
- the area on a billiard table behind the balkline
- a player with ball in hand must play from the balk
Verb
- refuse to comply