border on
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (transitive): 1. To be very close to or nearly the same as something, often something extreme or undesirable: To verge on or approach a particular state, quality, or condition. 2. To adjoin or be next to something: To share a border with; to lie adjacent to.
Usage and Examples
- The government's new policy borders on tyranny.
- Her dedication to her work borders on obsession.
- The estate's gardens border on a ancient forest.
- Such reckless behavior borders on insanity.
Advanced Usage
- "to border on the [adjective]": This structure is common, especially with adjectives describing extreme qualities.
- His arrogance borders on the ridiculous.
- Their generosity borders on the extravagant.
Variants and Related Words
- Border (n/v): The line separating two areas; to form a border along.
- Bordering (adj): Being adjacent to.
- The bordering states have similar laws.
Synonyms
- Verge on: To be very close to.
- Approach: To come near to in quality or character.
- Resemble: To be similar to.
- Approximate: To come close to in nature or quality.
Phrasal Verbs
- Border on does not have common phrasal verb variants beyond its core meaning.
Related Idioms
- To be on the border/edge of: To be very close to experiencing something.
- She was on the border of tears.
- (Strictly) speaking: Used to indicate that a statement is not accurate but is very close to the truth.
- His actions were, strictly speaking, not illegal, but they bordered on fraud.
Verb
- come near or verge on, resemble, come nearer in quality, or character
- This borders on discrimination!
- His playing approaches that of Horowitz