ratlike

Thân thiện

A suspicious figure moved with a ratlike scurry through the dim alley.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Resembling or characteristic of a rat: Having the physical appearance, qualities, or behaviors typically associated with a rodent of the genus Rattus, such as a pointed snout, sharp teeth, a long tail, or perceived sneakiness.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The creature had a small, ratlike face with beady eyes.
  • He moved with a ratlike swiftness through the dark alley.
  • Her ratlike cunning allowed her to evade capture for years.

Advanced Usage

• Descriptive Metaphor: Used figuratively to describe human features or behavior perceived as furtive, untrustworthy, or pestilent.
  • The informant's ratlike glances around the room betrayed his nervousness.

Variants and Related Words

• Ratty (adj): Resembling or suggestive of a rat; also can mean shabby or in poor condition.
  • The old sofa had a ratty appearance.

Synonyms

• Rodent-like: Having the characteristics of a rodent.
• Furtive: Suggestive of stealth or slyness, often used to describe similar behavior.
• Sneaky: Behaving in a secret and sometimes dishonest way.

Related Phrases

• To look ratlike: To have an appearance reminiscent of a rat.
  • In the dim light, his profile looked ratlike and sinister.

Related Idioms

• None directly formed with "ratlike," but related to the concept of "rat":
  • To smell a rat: To suspect that something is wrong or that someone is being dishonest. (Note: This idiom uses "rat," not the adjective "ratlike.")

Học thuật

Adjective

1. resembling or characteristic of a rat