egg on
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Phrasal Verb: - To urge, encourage, or deliberately provoke someone to do something, typically something foolish or risky.
Usage
This phrasal verb is transitive and separable. It is used to describe the act of goading or inciting someone into action. - The object (the person being urged) can come between "egg" and "on" or after the entire phrasal verb. - It often carries a negative connotation, implying the encouraged action is unwise, mischievous, or aggressive.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- The phrase can be used in passive voice: "to be egged on."
- It is frequently used in narratives describing dares, conflicts, or rebellious acts.
Variants and Related Words
- Incite (verb): To encourage unlawful or violent behavior.
- Goad (verb): To provoke or annoy to stimulate action.
- Provoke (verb): To stimulate or incite a reaction, often negative.
- Urge (verb): To strongly encourage or persuade.
Synonyms
- Encourage
- Spur
- Prod
- Pressure
- Instigate
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Work up: To stir someone into a state of excitement or anger.
- The speaker worked up the crowd.
- Rile up: To make someone angry or agitated.
- His comments riled up the opposition.
Related Idioms
- Add fuel to the fire: To make a bad situation worse, often by provoking.
- Criticizing him now will just add fuel to the fire.
Verb
- urge on; cause to act
- The other children egged the boy on, but he did not want to throw the stone through the window