leak
/li:k/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- An accidental hole or crack that allows something to escape or enter: A leak is an unintended opening through which a substance (like liquid, gas, or light) can pass.
- The substance that escapes or enters through such an opening: A leak can also refer to the fluid or gas itself that is escaping.
- An unauthorized disclosure of secret information: A leak is the act of making confidential information known to the public without permission.
Verb:
- To accidentally escape or enter through a hole or crack: When a substance (like water, gas, or light) leaks, it passes in or out through an unintended opening.
- To have such a hole or crack: An object leaks if it has an opening that allows something to pass through.
- To disclose secret information without authorization: To leak information is to reveal it secretly and often improperly.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- We found a leak in the water pipe. (We discovered a hole in the pipe.)
- There was a gas leak in the building, so everyone had to evacuate. (Gas was escaping into the building.)
- The newspaper published the story based on a leak from the government. (The story came from a secret disclosure of information.)
Verb:
- The roof leaks whenever it rains. (Water enters the house through the roof when it rains.)
- Oil was leaking from the engine. (Oil was escaping from the engine.)
- Someone leaked the company's financial plans to a competitor. (Someone secretly gave the plans to a competitor.)
Advanced Usage
- "To spring/start a leak": to begin to have a hole and let liquid in or out.
- The old boat sprang a leak and began to sink.
- "To plug/stop a leak": to repair a hole so nothing escapes.
- The plumber stopped the leak under the sink.
- "To take/have a leak" (informal, euphemism): to urinate.
- He stopped the car to take a leak.
Variants and Related Words
- Leakage (n): The process or an instance of leaking.
- The leakage of toxic chemicals was a major environmental disaster.
- Leaky (adj): Having a leak or leaks.
- We need to replace this leaky faucet.
- Leaker (n): A person who leaks information.
- The identity of the leaker remains unknown.
Synonyms
- Drip (v/n): To fall or let fall in small drops; a small drop of liquid.
- Seep (v): To flow or pass slowly through small openings.
- Disclosure (n): The act of making new or secret information known.
- Reveal (v): To make previously unknown information known to others.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Leak out: (For information) to become known to the public, often gradually or secretly.
- Details of the scandal slowly leaked out over several weeks.
- Leak in: (For a substance) to enter a place through a hole or crack.
- Cold air was leaking in through the window frame.
Related Idioms
- A leaky ship: Often used metaphorically to describe an organization where secret information is easily disclosed.
- The administration was like a leaky ship; reporters knew everything before the official announcements.
- To have a memory like a sieve/to be leaky: To forget things easily. (Note: "Leaky" is less common in this idiom than "sieve").
- I'm sorry I forgot your birthday; my memory is a bit leaky these days.
Noun
- unauthorized (especially deliberate) disclosure of confidential information
- the discharge of a fluid from some container
- they tried to stop the escape of gas from the damaged pipe
- he had to clean up the leak
- a euphemism for urination
- he had to take a leak
- soft watery rot in fruits and vegetables caused by fungi
- an accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape
- one of the tires developed a leak
Verb
- have an opening that allows light or substances to enter or go out
- The container leaked gasoline
- the roof leaks badly
- enter or escape as through a hole or crack or fissure
- Water leaked out of the can into the backpack
- Gas leaked into the basement
- be leaked
- The news leaked out despite his secrecy
- tell anonymously
- The news were leaked to the paper