Definition

1. Noun:

   • A sudden, sharp movement or shake: A jolt is a quick, forceful movement that often causes surprise or discomfort.
   • A sudden shock or surprise: A jolt can also refer to an emotional or mental shock that disrupts one's composure.

2. Verb:

   • To move with a sudden, jerky motion: To jolt is to move or cause something to move in a sharp, abrupt way.
   • To give a sudden shock or surprise to someone: To jolt someone is to disturb or shock them emotionally or mentally.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The bus started with a jolt. (The bus began moving with a sudden, jerky motion.)
  • The bad news was a real jolt to her system. (The bad news was a shocking surprise that upset her.)

• Verb:

  • The earthquake jolted the entire city. (The earthquake caused the entire city to shake suddenly.)
  • His harsh words jolted me out of my complacency. (His harsh words shocked me and made me stop being complacent.)

Advanced Usage

• "to jolt someone into action": to shock or surprise someone so that they start doing something.

  • The crisis jolted the government into action. (The crisis shocked the government, making it start to act.)

• "to jolt to a stop/halt": to stop moving very suddenly and forcefully.

  • The train jolted to a halt. (The train stopped with a sudden, jerky movement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Jolting (adj): causing a sudden shock or a jerky movement.

  • It was a jolting experience. (It was a shocking or physically jarring experience.)

• Jolty (adj): characterized by sudden, jerky movements.

  • The road was very jolty. (The road caused the vehicle to shake and bounce suddenly.)

Synonyms

• Noun: jerk, bump, shock, start.
• Verb: shake, jar, shock, startle.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(The word 'jolt' is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is typically contained within the single word.)

Related Idioms

• "a rude awakening/jolt": a sudden and unpleasant realization or shock.
  • Failing the exam was a rude jolt to his confidence. (Failing the exam was a sudden, unpleasant shock that damaged his confidence.)

Noun

1. an abrupt spasmodic movement
2. a sudden jarring impact
   • the door closed with a jolt
   • all the jars and jolts were smoothed out by the shock absorbers

Verb

1. disturb (someone's) composure
   • The audience was jolted by the play
2. move or cause to move with a sudden jerky motion