rock-ribbed
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Tradition-bound and obstinately opinionated: Describes a person, group, or attitude that is extremely rigid, uncompromising, and firmly fixed in their beliefs, principles, or loyalties, often to a conservative or traditional viewpoint.
- Abounding in or bordered by rocky cliffs or scarps: Describes a physical landscape, especially a coastline, that is characterized by many rocky formations, cliffs, or steep, rugged rock faces.
Usage Examples
Adjective (Figurative - opinionated): The senator was a rock-ribbed conservative who opposed any new taxes.His rock-ribbed adherence to the old methods made him resistant to modern innovations.
Adjective (Literal - landscape): We hiked along the rock-ribbed shores of the Atlantic.The rock-ribbed mountains stood imposingly against the sky.
Advanced Usage
- Used to emphasize extreme and unyielding steadfastness. It often carries a tone of admiration from those who share the views, and a tone of criticism for being inflexible from those who do not.
Variants and Related Words
- Die-hard (adj/n): Stubbornly resisting change or clinging to a past attitude. (e.g., )
- Inflexible (adj): Unwilling to change or compromise.
- Steadfast (adj): Resolutely firm and unwavering (often more positive in connotation than ).
Synonyms
- Figurative: Uncompromising, staunch, rigid, intransigent, dyed-in-the-wool.
- Literal: Rocky, craggy, rugged, cliff-bound.
Antonyms
- Figurative: Flexible, open-minded, moderate, adaptable.
- Literal: Smooth, flat, sandy, gentle.
Related Idioms/Phrases
- Set in one's ways: Similar in meaning to the figurative use, describing someone with fixed habits or opinions.
- Stand one's ground: To refuse to retreat or change one's position, related to the steadfastness implied by .
Adjective
- tradition-bound and obstinately opinionated
- an inflexible (or die-hard) conservative
- rock-ribbed republican
- abounding in or bordered by rocky cliffs or scarps
- the rock-ribbed coast of Maine