bolter
Definition
- Noun:
- A horse that bolts: A "bolter" is a horse that runs away suddenly out of control, especially during a race or ride.
- A political dissenter: In U.S. politics, a "bolter" is a person who leaves their political party or refuses to support its policies, often by voting against the party line.
- A sieving device: Historically, a "bolter" is a machine or sieve used to separate fine particles, such as flour, from coarse ones.
Usage Examples
- Horse that bolts:
- The rider fell off when his horse became a bolter during the race. (The horse ran away uncontrollably.)
- Political dissenter:
- The senator was called a bolter after he voted against his party's bill. (He broke away from his party's official stance.)
- Sieving device:
- The mill used a bolter to sift the wheat flour. (The machine separated fine flour from bran.)
Advanced Usage
- "To be a bolter": to be someone who consistently abandons commitments or groups.
- In the election, the candidate was a bolter, switching parties twice. (He was a political deserter.)
Variants and Related Words
- Bolt (n): a sudden run or dash; also, a fastener or a stroke of lightning.
- The horse made a bolt for the gate. (A sudden dash.)
- Bolt (v): to run away suddenly; to fasten with a bolt; to eat quickly.
- The rabbit bolted into the bushes. (Ran away quickly.)
Synonyms
- For a horse: runaway, escapee.
- For a person: defector, renegade, dissenter, secessionist.
- For a device: sieve, sifter, strainer.
Phrasal Verbs
- Bolt out: to leave or escape quickly.
- The prisoner bolted out of the cell. (Escaped suddenly.)
- Bolt down: to eat hastily.
- He bolted down his breakfast before the meeting. (Ate very quickly.)
Related Idioms
- Bolt from the blue: a sudden, unexpected event.
- The news of his resignation came as a bolt from the blue. (It was a complete surprise.)
- Make a bolt for it: to attempt to escape quickly.
- The thief made a bolt for the door when the police arrived. (Tried to run away.)