cock

/kɔk/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Noun:

    • An adult male bird, especially a rooster: A male chicken or, more generally, a male of any bird species.
    • A firing mechanism in a gun: The part of a gunlock that is pulled back and released to fire the weapon.
    • A faucet or tap: A valve or tap for controlling the flow of a liquid.
    • Vulgar slang for the penis: An obscene term for the male genital organ.
  2. Verb:

    • To tilt or turn something upward or to one side: To set something at an angle.
    • To set the hammer of a gun in a ready position: To pull back the cock of a firearm so it is ready to fire.
    • To walk in a proud, strutting manner: To walk with a bold, arrogant, or self-important gait.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:

    • The farmer heard the cock crow at dawn.
    • He pulled back the cock on the pistol before taking aim.
    • Please turn off the cock to stop the water flow.
    • (Vulgar) He made an offensive joke about his cock.
  • Verb:

    • The dog cocked its head, listening to the strange sound.
    • The soldier cocked his rifle carefully.
    • He cocked his hat at a jaunty angle.
    • He cocked down the street as if he owned the place.
Advanced Usage
  • "At full cock": (Of a gun) with the hammer fully pulled back and ready to fire; (figuratively) in a state of full readiness.

    • The debate team was at full cock for the final round.
  • "Cock of the walk": The most important or dominant person in a group.

    • After winning the championship, he acted like the cock of the walk.
  • "That cock won't fight": (Idiomatic) That story, excuse, or plan is not believable or will not work.

    • He tried to blame the weather, but that cock won't fight with the boss.
Variants and Related Words
  • Cocky (adj): Overly self-confident or arrogant.

    • His cocky attitude annoyed his teammates.
  • Cock-a-hoop (adj): Extremely and obviously pleased, especially about an achievement.

    • She was cock-a-hoop after receiving the promotion.
  • Cockscomb (n): The crest or comb of a rooster; a garden plant with red, yellow, or orange flower spikes.

  • Haycock (n): A conical pile of hay in a field.
Synonyms
  • Rooster (n): An adult male chicken.
  • Tap, faucet (n): A device controlling liquid flow.
  • Strut (v): To walk in a proud, stiff way.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Cock up (vulgar slang, chiefly British): To make a mess of something; to ruin or botch.
    • He completely cocked up the presentation by forgetting his notes.
Related Idioms
  • "Live like a fighting cock": To live very well, in great comfort and luxury.

    • Since his investment paid off, he's been living like a fighting cock.
  • "Cock a snook" (British): To show disrespect or defiance, especially by placing one's thumb to one's nose with the fingers spread.

    • The protesters cocked a snook at the new regulations.
Noun
  1. adult male bird
  2. adult male chicken
  3. the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled
  4. faucet consisting of a rotating device for regulating flow of a liquid
  5. obscene terms for penis
Verb
  1. to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others
    • He struts around like a rooster in a hen house
  2. set the trigger of a firearm back for firing
  3. tilt or slant to one side
    • cock one's head