house-to-house
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Conducted by visiting each house in a sequence: Describes an activity that involves going from one house to the next adjacent one, typically without skipping any.
- Extensive and thorough in coverage by visiting every residence: Implies a methodical, comprehensive approach to reaching every household in a specific area.
Usage
- The adjective "house-to-house" is used attributively, meaning it is placed directly before a noun to describe it.
- It describes methods of campaigning, searching, surveying, or canvassing that involve visiting every residence in an area.
Examples
- Adjective:
- The police conducted a house-to-house search for the missing child. (The police visited each house one after another in their search.)
- Volunteers are doing a house-to-house collection for the charity. (Volunteers are going to each house to collect donations.)
- During the census, workers carry out house-to-house surveys. (Census workers visit every residence to gather information.)
Advanced Usage
- "House-to-house" as an adverbial phrase: While primarily an adjective, it can function informally in an adverbial role.
- The news spread house-to-house. (The news spread by being communicated from one house to the next.)
Variants and Related Words
- Door-to-door: A near-synonymous adjective/adverb. While often interchangeable, "door-to-door" can more specifically imply a sales or delivery context (e.g., door-to-door salesperson), whereas "house-to-house" is often used for official searches, surveys, or campaigns.
- He works as a door-to-door salesman.
- Canvassing (n): The activity of going through an area to solicit votes, opinions, or sales, often done house-to-house.
Synonyms
- Door-to-door: From one residence to the next.
- Systematic: Done according to a fixed plan or system (captures the methodical aspect).
- Comprehensive: Including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something (captures the thorough coverage).
Related Phrases
- House-to-house inquiry/investigation: A formal search for information conducted by visiting each house.
- The detectives began a house-to-house inquiry to find witnesses.
- House-to-house fighting: (Military) Combat that progresses through a town or city by clearing buildings one by one.
- The battle descended into brutal house-to-house fighting.
Idioms
Adjective
- omitting no one; from the door of one house to that of the next
- a door-to-door campaign
- house-to-house coverage