fence

/fens/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
fence

A white picket fence surrounds a small garden.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A barrier enclosing an area: A structure serving as a boundary, barrier, or enclosure, typically made of posts, wire, wood, or metal.
    • A dealer in stolen goods: A person who knowingly buys and sells stolen property.
    • The art or sport of fencing: The skill, practice, or sport of fighting with swords (foils, épées, or sabres).

  2. Verb:

    • To enclose or separate with a fence: To surround, divide, or protect an area by constructing a barrier.
    • To practice the sport of fencing: To fight with swords as a sport or skill.
    • To deal in stolen goods: To buy and sell stolen property.
    • To argue or debate skillfully: To engage in a clever or evasive argument or discussion.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • The farmer built a wooden fence around the pasture.
    • The police arrested a known fence who was operating in the city.
    • She has been taking lessons in the art of the fence.

  • Verb:

    • We need to fence the garden to keep the deer out.
    • He learned to fence at a prestigious athletic club.
    • The thief was trying to fence the stolen jewelry.
    • The politicians continued to fence over the details of the bill.
Advanced Usage

  • "To sit on the fence": To remain neutral or undecided in a dispute or argument; to avoid taking sides.

    • You can't sit on the fence forever; you need to make a decision.

  • "To mend one's fences": To try to improve or restore relations with someone after a disagreement.

    • After the argument, he called to apologize and mend his fences.

  • "To fence something in": To enclose an area completely with a fence.

    • They fenced in the yard so their dog could run safely.
Variants and Related Words

  • Fencing (n): The sport of fighting with blunted swords; also, materials used for making fences.

    • He won a gold medal in fencing.
    • We bought the fencing for the new project.

  • Fencer (n): A person who practices or competes in the sport of fencing.

    • She is an accomplished fencer.
Synonyms
  • Noun (Barrier): Barrier, enclosure, railing, hedge, wall.
  • Verb (Enclose): Enclose, surround, encircle, bound, corral.
  • Verb (Debate): Argue, debate, dispute, quibble, spar.
Related Phrasal Verbs

  • Fence in: To enclose an area with a fence.

    • They decided to fence in the swimming pool for safety.

  • Fence off: To separate one area from another using a fence.

    • The construction site was fenced off from the public.
Related Idioms

  • "Come down on the right side of the fence": To choose the winning or more advantageous side in a conflict.

    • He always manages to come down on the right side of the fence in political battles.

  • "Fence with someone": To engage in a clever, evasive, or witty argument with someone.

    • The interviewer tried to get a straight answer, but the politician just fenced with him.
fence

A white picket fence surrounds a small garden.

Noun
  1. a dealer in stolen property
  2. a barrier that serves to enclose an area
Verb
  1. have an argument about something
  2. surround with a wall in order to fortify
  3. fight with fencing swords
  4. receive stolen goods
  5. enclose with a fence
    • we fenced in our yard

Từ đồng nghĩa

Từ gần giống

Từ chứa "fence"

Từ có nhắc đến "fence"