ebb
/eb/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- The outward flow of the tide: The period when the tide moves away from the shore, causing the water level to fall.
- A gradual decline (in size, strength, power, or number): A slow weakening or reduction.
Verb:
- To fall away or decline: To gradually decrease in intensity, strength, or level.
- To flow back or recede: To move away, especially of water or tide.
- (Archaic) To hem in fish with stakes and nets to prevent them from escaping with the outgoing tide: An old fishing method.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- We walked along the beach at low ebb. (We walked along the beach when the tide was out.)
- His fortunes were at a low ebb after the business failed. (His fortunes were in a state of decline after the business failed.)
Verb:
- The floodwaters began to ebb. (The floodwaters began to recede.)
- Her enthusiasm for the project ebbed as the difficulties mounted. (Her enthusiasm for the project declined as the difficulties increased.)
Advanced Usage
"to be at a low ebb": To be in a poor or weakened state; to be at a low point.
- Morale in the office is at a low ebb. (Morale in the office is very low.)
"ebb and flow": A recurrent or rhythmic pattern of coming and going, or decline and increase.
- The ebb and flow of conversation continued all evening. (The natural rhythm of conversation rising and falling continued all evening.)
Variants and Related Words
- Ebbtide (n): The period or process of the tide ebbing; the tide while ebbing.
- They set sail on the ebbtide. (They set sail as the tide was going out.)
Synonyms
- Noun (decline): Decline, wane, diminution, downturn.
- Verb (recede): Recede, retreat, subside, abate.
- Verb (decline): Decline, dwindle, wane, fade.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Ebb away: To gradually disappear or weaken.
- His strength ebbed away during the long illness. (His strength gradually weakened during the long illness.)
Related Idioms
- At a low ebb: In a state of weakness, depression, or poor condition.
- The team's confidence was at a low ebb after three consecutive losses. (The team's confidence was very low after three consecutive losses.)
Noun
- the outward flow of the tide
- a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
Verb
- fall away or decline
- The patient's strength ebbed away
- hem in fish with stakes and nets so as to prevent them from going back into the sea with the ebb
- flow back or recede
- the tides ebbed at noon