headlong
/'hedlɔɳ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb:
- With the head foremost or first: Moving or falling with the head leading the body.
- In a hasty, rash, or impetuous manner: Acting with excessive speed and without careful thought.
Adjective:
- Done with the head foremost: Characterized by a forward plunge or dive.
- Excessively quick and without deliberation: Characterized by unthinking haste or recklessness.
Examples of Usage
- Adverb:
- He fell headlong down the steep hill. (He fell with his head going first down the steep hill.)
- The company rushed headlong into the new market without proper research. (The company entered the new market with rash haste.)
- Adjective:
- It was a headlong dash to catch the last train. (It was a reckless, hurried run.)
- She made a headlong dive into the icy water. (She dived into the water with her head leading.)
Advanced Usage
- "To plunge/rush/fall headlong into something": To engage in an activity or situation with reckless speed and without caution.
- They plunged headlong into the argument.
- Used figuratively to describe a sudden, intense, and often unconsidered emotional state.
- He fell headlong in love.
Variants and Related Words
- Headfirst (Adverb/Adjective): Often used interchangeably with 'headlong' for the "with the head foremost" meaning. (e.g., ).
- Precipitate (Adjective): Similar to the rash meaning of 'headlong'. (e.g., ).
Synonyms
- Adverb (rashly): Recklessly, impetuously, hastily, precipitately.
- Adverb (headfirst): Headfirst.
- Adjective (rash): Reckless, hasty, impetuous, precipitate, foolhardy.
Related Phrases
- "At breakneck speed": Very fast and dangerously. This phrase is closely related to the manner implied by 'headlong'.
- The car sped away headlong, at breakneck speed.
Related Idioms
- "Rush headlong": To proceed with reckless haste. This is a common collocation that functions as an idiom.
- Don't rush headlong into signing the contract.
Adjective
- with the head foremost
- a headfirst plunge down the stairs
- a headlong dive into the pool
- excessively quick
- made a hasty exit
- a headlong rush to sell
Adverb
- in a hasty and foolhardy manner
- he fell headlong in love with his cousin
- at breakneck speed
- burst headlong through the gate
- with the head foremost
- the runner slid headlong into third base