sieve
/siv/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A utensil with a mesh or perforated bottom: A device used for separating finer particles from coarser ones, or solids from liquids, by passing the material through its mesh or holes.
- A person who cannot keep a secret: (Informal, figurative) A person who talks indiscreetly or leaks information.
Verb:
- To put through a sieve: To separate or refine by passing a substance through a sieve.
- To examine carefully and selectively: To scrutinize information or a group of items in detail to assess suitability or to separate the valuable from the worthless.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- Pour the flour through a sieve to remove any lumps.
- Don't tell him anything confidential; he's a real sieve.
Verb:
- Sieve the powdered sugar over the cake for a fine dusting.
- We need to sieve these applications to find the most qualified candidates.
Advanced Usage
"to have a memory/mind like a sieve": (Idiomatic) To be very forgetful or unable to retain information.
- I'm sorry I forgot your birthday; I have a memory like a sieve.
"to sieve out": To remove unwanted elements through a process of careful examination or physical separation.
- The investigation aims to sieve out the facts from the rumors.
Variants and Related Words
Sifter (n): A device, often a container with a perforated top, used for sifting, especially in cooking.
- She used a flour sifter for the dry ingredients.
Screen (n/v): A similar device or action for separating or examining. (Note: While related, "screen" often implies a broader examination or filtration process).
- All luggage must be screened at the airport.
Synonyms
- Strainer (n): A device for separating solids from liquids.
- Filter (n/v): A device or action to remove unwanted elements.
- Sift (v): To examine closely or to put through a sieve.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Sieve through: To examine a large amount of material carefully to find specific items or information.
- Researchers had to sieve through centuries of archives.
Related Idioms
- "To pour water into a sieve": (Proverbial) To engage in a futile or pointless task.
- Trying to get him to be punctual is like pouring water into a sieve.
Noun
- a strainer for separating lumps from powdered material or grading particles
Verb
- distinguish and separate out
- sift through the job candidates
- separate by passing through a sieve or other straining device to separate out coarser elements
- sift the flour
- check and sort carefully
- sift the information
- examine in order to test suitability
- screen these samples
- screen the job applicants