burrow
/'bʌrou/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A hole or tunnel dug in the ground by a small animal, used as a dwelling or for shelter: A "burrow" is a refuge created by animals like rabbits, foxes, or rodents.
Verb:
- To dig a hole or tunnel, especially for use as a dwelling: This refers to the action of an animal making its home underground.
- To move or progress by or as if by digging: To advance through something by creating a passage or by searching thoroughly.
Examples
Noun:
- The rabbit disappeared into its burrow.
- We found an abandoned badger burrow at the edge of the woods.
Verb:
- Moles burrow just beneath the surface of the lawn.
- The larvae burrow into the fruit, causing damage.
Advanced Usage
"to burrow into/through something": To penetrate or make one's way into something, often implying a searching or investigative effort.
- The detective burrowed into the old case files.
- The roots burrow deep through the rocky soil.
"to burrow down": To settle oneself snugly or securely, often for comfort or concealment.
- The child burrowed down under the heavy blankets.
Variants and Related Words
- Burrower (n): An animal or person that digs burrows.
- The aardvark is a skilled burrower.
Synonyms
- Noun: Hole, tunnel, den, lair, warren.
- Verb: Dig, tunnel, excavate, delve, root.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Burrow in: To settle oneself into a place cozily or securely.
- The cat burrowed in among the pillows.
Burrow out: To dig one's way out of something.
- The trapped miners tried to burrow out of the collapsed tunnel.
Related Idioms
- To burrow one's way into/through: To make one's way persistently or with effort through a crowd, a difficult situation, or a mass of material.
- She burrowed her way through the dense undergrowth.
- He slowly burrowed his way into the organization, gaining trust over years.
Noun
- a hole made by an animal, usually for shelter
Verb
- move through by or as by digging
- burrow through the forest