portion out
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: To distribute or allocate something by dividing it into parts or shares, typically in a measured or fair way. It implies giving out portions from a larger whole.
Usage
This verb is used when describing the action of dividing and distributing something, such as food, money, tasks, or resources, among a group of people. It is a transitive verb and requires a direct object (the thing being distributed). It often has a connotation of careful or equitable division.
Examples
- The chef will portion out the ingredients for each cooking station.
- The aid workers portioned out the remaining supplies to the refugees.
- Please portion out the project tasks among the team members.
- He carefully portioned out his weekly allowance to make it last.
Advanced Usage
- "to portion something out among/to someone": This structure specifies the recipients of the portions.
- The estate was portioned out among the three heirs.
- The teacher portioned the candy out to the children.
Variants and Related Words
- Portion (n): A part or share of a whole.
- She ate a small portion of the cake.
- Portion (v): To divide into shares; to provide with a portion. (Less common than "portion out").
- The land was portioned to the settlers.
- Apportion (v): To divide and assign proportionally. A more formal synonym.
- The funds were apportioned based on need.
Synonyms
- Distribute
- Allocate
- Dispense
- Dole out
- Divide up
- Share out
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Dole out: To distribute, especially in small amounts or reluctantly.
- The manager doled out criticism to the entire staff.
- Met out: To distribute or apportion something, often justice or punishment. (Formal/Literary).
- The judge meted out a severe sentence.
- Hand out: To distribute freely, often by hand.
- Volunteers were handing out flyers on the street.
Related Idioms
- Divide/share the spoils: To distribute the profits or benefits of a joint effort.
- After the successful project, the partners divided the spoils.(Note: "Portion out" itself is not typically used in fixed idioms, but it describes the action central to many idiomatic expressions about distribution.)
Verb
- give out as one's portion or share