operate on
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To perform a surgical procedure on a living body, typically to repair damage, remove diseased tissue, or improve function. This is the primary and most common meaning.
- To have an effect or influence on something; to work upon. This is a less common, figurative usage.
Usage
- The verb "operate on" is used with a direct object (the patient or body part). It is a separable phrasal verb.
- It is most frequently used in the passive voice in medical contexts (e.g., "He was operated on").
- Structure: .
Examples
- Verb:
- The skilled surgeon will operate on the patient's heart tomorrow.
- She was operated on for appendicitis last year.
- Doctors had to operate on his broken leg immediately after the accident.
Advanced Usage
- Figurative Use: To affect or influence something as if by a surgical procedure.
- The new policy operates on the principle of fairness. (It works based on that principle.)
- His speech operated on the emotions of the crowd. (It worked upon their emotions.)
Variants and Related Words
- Operation (n): The act or process of operating; a surgical procedure.
- The patient is recovering from a major operation.
- Operative (adj): Functioning; having effect.
- The law is now operative.
- Operator (n): One who operates a machine; in surgery, a surgeon.
- The machine operator ensured safety protocols were followed.
Synonyms
- Perform surgery on: The most direct synonym.
- Conduct an operation on: A more formal equivalent.
- Treat surgically: Emphasizes the medical treatment aspect.
Phrasal Verbs
- Operate on is itself a phrasal verb. Its components are not typically separated in standard usage, though the passive form ("was operated on") is common.
- Correct: The doctor operated on the patient.
- Correct (Passive): The patient was operated on by the doctor.
- Less Common (Separated): The doctor operated successfully on the patient.
Related Idioms
- To be under the knife: An informal idiom meaning to be undergoing surgery.
- He's going under the knife next week for his knee.
Verb
- perform surgery on
- The doctors operated on the patient but failed to save his life