pig-a-back
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb 1. On the back or shoulders: In a position where a person or object is being carried on the back or shoulders of another. 2. Astride on the hips: In a position where a person is being carried sitting on the hips of another. 3. On top of and supported by: In a manner where one object is transported on top of and is supported by another, larger object.
Usage Examples
- Adverb:
- She carried her child pig-a-back through the crowded market.
- The small generator was transported pig-a-back on the larger truck.
- He gave his tired friend a ride pig-a-back.
Advanced Usage
- "To ride pig-a-back": To be carried in this manner.
- The children loved to ride pig-a-back on their father.
- "To carry something pig-a-back": To transport an object by having it mounted on top of another.
- The satellite was launched pig-a-back on the main rocket.
Variants and Related Words
- Piggyback (Adverb, Adjective, Verb, Noun): The more common modern spelling and a more versatile word form.
- Adverb/Adjective: "a piggyback ride."
- Verb: "to piggyback on an existing network."
- Noun: "He gave me a piggyback."
- Pickaback (Adverb): An older, less common variant with the same meaning.
Synonyms
- On someone's back: A more literal and common phrase.
- On someone's shoulders: Specifies the shoulder area.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- To piggyback on something (Verb): To use an existing system, idea, or success as a basis for one's own advantage or progress. (Note: This is a related verb form of the more common variant "piggyback," not a direct phrasal verb of "pig-a-back" itself).
- The new software update piggybacks on the previous version's architecture.
Related Idioms
- To get a free ride / To get a lift: Informal idioms for benefiting from the effort of others, conceptually related to the idea of being carried.
- His success wasn't earned; he just got a free ride on his family's reputation.
Adverb
- on the back or shoulder or astraddle on the hip
- she carried her child piggyback
- on a railroad flatcar
- the trailer rode piggyback across the country