nudge

/nʌdʤ/

Thân thiện

She gave her friend a gentle nudge to get her attention.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A slight push or shake: A gentle physical contact, often with the elbow, to get someone's attention or to indicate something.
   • A gentle persuasion or encouragement: A figurative push to prompt someone into action or thought.

2. Verb:

   • To push against gently: To touch or push someone or something lightly, especially with the elbow.
   • To push into action by pestering or annoying gently: To encourage or persuade someone to do something through persistent, gentle reminders.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She gave me a nudge to point out the mistake in the report.
  • Sometimes all you need is a little nudge to start a new project.

• Verb:

  • He nudged the door with his shoulder to open it.
  • I had to nudge him several times to finish his application before the deadline.

Advanced Usage

• "To give someone a nudge": To remind or encourage someone gently.

  • Can you give John a nudge about the meeting tomorrow? He tends to forget.

• "A nudge in the right direction": Helpful advice or a gentle push that helps someone make progress.

  • Her mentor's feedback was just the nudge in the right direction she needed.

Variants and Related Words

• Nudger (n): A person who nudges.
  • He's a constant nudger, always reminding everyone of their tasks.

Synonyms

• Prod: To poke or jab, often used figuratively to mean urging someone.
• Prompt: To cause someone to take action.
• Elbow (v): To push with the elbow (more specific and physical).

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Nudge" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is typically contained in the single word.)

Related Idioms

• "Nudge nudge, wink wink": A phrase said to suggest that something is being hinted at, especially something salacious or secretive, often in a joking manner.
  • He said he had a "very good time" with her last night, nudge nudge, wink wink.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a slight push or shake

Verb

1. push into action by pestering or annoying gently
2. to push against gently
   • She nudged my elbow when she saw her friend enter the restaurant

Từ đồng nghĩa

• jog
• poke at
• prod