bean pole
Definition
- Noun:
- A tall, thin support for climbing bean plants: A "bean pole" is a long, slender stake or pole used in gardening to support the growth of bean vines or other climbing plants.
- A very tall, thin person (informal): In informal, often humorous usage, "bean pole" refers to a person who is exceptionally tall and slender, resembling the shape of a garden pole.
Usage Examples
- Noun (gardening):
- The farmer drove a bean pole into the soil for the runner beans to climb. (A support stake for bean plants.)
- Noun (informal, person):
- He’s grown so much this year; he’s turned into a real bean pole. (A very tall, thin person.)
Advanced Usage
- "as thin as a bean pole": A simile comparing a person’s extreme slenderness to a garden stake.
- After his illness, he was as thin as a bean pole. (Very lean and gaunt.)
Variants and Related Words
- Beanpole (n, alternative spelling): The same term, often written as one word.
- The beanpole stood upright in the garden. (The support for bean plants.)
Synonyms
- Stake: a pointed piece of wood or metal driven into the ground as a support.
- Pole: a long, slender, rounded piece of wood or metal.
- Lanky (adj): describing a person who is tall, thin, and often awkward in movement (similar to the informal meaning).
Related Idioms
- A beanpole of a man: A descriptive phrase emphasizing extreme thinness and height.
- He was a beanpole of a man, towering over everyone else. (A very tall, thin man.)
Cultural Note
- The informal use of "bean pole" is often lighthearted but can be considered mildly teasing. It is commonly applied to growing teenagers or individuals with a naturally slender build.