inherit
/in'herit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (transitive):
- To receive (property, a title, etc.) as an heir at the death of the previous holder.
- To receive (a characteristic, trait, or genetic feature) from a parent or ancestor through biological transmission.
- To receive or be left with (a situation, problem, or legacy) from a predecessor.
Verb (intransitive):
- To come into possession of something as an heir.
Examples of Usage
Verb (transitive):
- She will inherit the family estate when her aunt passes away.
- He inherited his father's blue eyes and his mother's artistic talent.
- The new government inherited a severe economic crisis from the previous administration.
Verb (intransitive):
- As the only living relative, he stands to inherit.
Advanced Usage
"to inherit the mantle of": To assume a role or position of responsibility, authority, or leadership from a predecessor.
- She inherited the mantle of leadership after the founder retired.
"to inherit the earth": A biblical allusion (from the Beatitudes, "the meek shall inherit the earth") meaning to come into possession of something great or to ultimately prevail.
- In the long run, the most adaptable companies will inherit the earth.
Variants and Related Words
- Inheritance (n): The action of inheriting; the money, property, or title received from an ancestor or predecessor.
- He received a large inheritance from his grandfather.
- Inheritor (n): A person who inherits something; an heir.
- She is the sole inheritor of the collection.
- Inheritable (adj): Capable of being inherited.
- Certain genetic conditions are inheritable.
Synonyms
- Receive (as an heir).
- Accede to (a title or position).
- Come into (informal, e.g., ).
- Succeed to (a throne, title).
Related Phrasal Verbs
(Note: "Inherit" is not commonly used with particles to form standard phrasal verbs. The verb typically stands alone or is used with prepositions like "from.")
Related Idioms
- To be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth: To be born into a wealthy family and inherit wealth and privilege.
- He never had to work; he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
- Like father, like son: Used to suggest a son has inherited characteristics or behavior from his father.
- He's just as stubborn as his dad—like father, like son.
Verb
- receive by genetic transmission
- I inherited my good eyesight from my mother
- receive from a predecessor
- The new chairman inherited many problems from the previous chair
- obtain from someone after their death
- I inherited a castle from my French grandparents