squawk
/skwɔ:k/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A loud, harsh, and often grating cry: A squawk is a sharp, unpleasant sound, typically made by a bird, especially a parrot, chicken, or other fowl.
- A loud, sharp complaint or protest: Informally, a squawk is a strong, often noisy, expression of objection or grievance.
Verb:
- To utter a loud, harsh cry: To make a sharp, raucous sound, like that of a startled bird.
- To complain loudly and stridently: To protest or object in a noisy, often indignant, manner.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- The parrot let out a loud squawk when the phone rang.
- His main squawk was about the sudden change in the schedule.
Verb:
- The chickens squawked in alarm as the fox approached the coop.
- He squawked about the poor service to the manager for twenty minutes.
Advanced Usage
"to squawk about/over something": to complain vociferously about a specific issue.
- The customers were squawking about the price increase.
"to squawk at someone": to direct a loud complaint or harsh sound toward someone.
- The manager squawked at the staff for the mistake.
Variants and Related Words
Squawker (n): A person or thing that squawks, especially a loud complainer.
- He's known as the office squawker.
Squawky (adj): Having a harsh, grating quality.
- The old radio had a squawky sound.
Synonyms
- Screech: A loud, high-pitched, and unpleasant cry or sound.
- Complain: To express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions
- Squawk out: To utter something in a harsh, abrupt manner.
- The radio squawked out a warning message.
Related Idioms
- To have a squawk: To have a complaint or grievance.
- If you have a squawk, please address it to customer service.
Noun
- informal terms for objecting
- I have a gripe about the service here
- the noise of squawking
- she awoke to the squawk of chickens
- the squawk of car horns
Verb
- complain
- What was he hollering about?
- utter a harsh abrupt scream