skulk

/skʌlk/

Thân thiện

The lonely man skulks down the main street all day.

Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):
   • To move in a stealthy, furtive, or sneaking manner, as if trying to avoid being seen. This implies a sense of guilt, shame, or a desire to hide.
   • To avoid responsibilities or duties, often by hiding or making excuses. This usage focuses on shirking obligations.
   • To lie in wait or in ambush; to behave in a secretive and sneaky way. This sense often involves hiding with a purpose, such as to attack or observe unseen.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • I saw a figure skulk in the shadows near the alley. (This shows moving stealthily.)
  • He tends to skulk in his office when there's extra work to be done. (This shows avoiding duties.)
  • The predator skulked in the tall grass, waiting for its prey. (This shows lying in ambush.)

Advanced Usage

• "To skulk about/around": To move around stealthily in a particular area.
  • Security cameras caught someone skulking around the building after hours.
• "To skulk off": To leave or retreat in a sneaky, guilty, or cowardly manner.
  • After breaking the vase, the cat skulked off under the sofa.

Variants and Related Words

• Skulker (noun): A person or animal that skulks.
  • The guard was warned to watch for skulkers near the perimeter fence.

Synonyms

• Lurk: To wait or move furtively, often with a sinister intent.
• Sneak: To move or act in a stealthy, secretive way.
• Prowl: To move about restlessly or stealthily, especially in search of something.
• Shirk: To avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility (specific to the duty-avoidance sense).

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• Skulk behind/in/among: To hide stealthily within a specific location.
  • The children skulked behind the curtains during the game of hide-and-seek.

Related Idioms

• To have a skulking suspicion/doubt: To have a persistent, nagging feeling of suspicion that one hides or does not openly express. (Note: This is an idiomatic use where "skulking" acts as an adjective).
  • She had a skulking doubt about the authenticity of the story.

Học thuật

Verb

1. move stealthily
   • The lonely man skulks down the main street all day
2. avoid responsibilities and duties, e.g., by pretending to be ill
3. lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner

Từ đồng nghĩa

• malinger
• lurk