dumb-bell

She lifts a single dumb-bell above her head during her workout.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A weight-training implement: "dumb-bell" refers to a short bar with a weight at each end, used typically in pairs for physical exercise to strengthen muscles.
   • A foolish person (slang, informal): "dumb-bell" can also mean a stupid or unintelligent person, often used as a mild insult.

Usage Examples

• Noun (weight-training implement):

  • He lifted the heavy dumb-bell with ease during his workout. (A short bar with weights on each end used for exercise.)
  • She bought a set of dumb-bells for her home gym. (Multiple such implements for strength training.)

• Noun (foolish person):

  • Don't be such a dumb-bell; you should have checked the map before driving. (A person acting foolishly or without good sense.)
  • He called his friend a dumb-bell for forgetting the tickets. (A mild insult for stupidity.)

Advanced Usage

• "dumb-bell curl": a specific exercise involving lifting a dumb-bell by bending the elbow.

  • Perform a dumb-bell curl to strengthen your biceps. (A targeted movement using the weight implement.)

• "dumb-bell press": an exercise where dumb-bells are pushed upward from the chest or shoulders.

  • The dumb-bell press is effective for building upper body strength. (A compound exercise using the implement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dumbbell (n): an alternative spelling of "dumb-bell", often used in modern contexts.

  • He prefers using a dumbbell over a barbell for isolation exercises. (Same meaning, different spelling.)

• Dumbbell-shaped (adj): having the form or shape of a dumb-bell.

  • The bacteria were dumb-bell-shaped under the microscope. (Resembling the weight implement in appearance.)

Synonyms

• Weight: a general term for an object used in strength training.
• Barbell: a longer bar with weights, used for heavier lifts (distinct from dumb-bell, which is shorter and used singly or in pairs).
• Idiot: a person lacking intelligence (synonym for the slang meaning).
• Fool: a person who acts unwisely (synonym for the slang meaning).

Phrasal Verbs

• Dumb-bell (no common phrasal verbs directly associated; the word is a noun, not a verb.)

Related Idioms

• "Not the sharpest tool in the shed": a phrase meaning someone is not very intelligent, similar to the slang meaning of "dumb-bell".

  • He's not the sharpest tool in the shed, but he means well. (He is not very smart, like a dumb-bell.)

• "A dumb-bell move": an action that is foolish or lacking sense.

  • Leaving the keys inside the car was a real dumb-bell move. (A stupid action.)