stopped up
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective 1. Blocked, obstructed: Describes a passage, duct, or opening that is closed or clogged, preventing normal flow or passage. This is most commonly used to describe a nose that is congested. - Example: I can't breathe well because my nose is stopped up.
Usage
- The term "stopped up" is primarily used as a predicate adjective (following a linking verb like "is," "was," "feels") to describe a state of being blocked.
- It is most frequently applied to bodily passages, especially the nasal passages due to a cold or allergies. It can also describe drains, pipes, or other similar conduits.
Examples
- Describing a nose:
- She had a terrible cold and her nose was completely stopped up.
- My head feels heavy when my sinuses are stopped up.
- Describing other passages:
- The kitchen sink is stopped up again; we need to call a plumber.
- A leaf stopped up the gutter, causing water to overflow.
Advanced Usage
- "stopped-up" (Hyphenated form): Often used before a noun as a compound modifier.
- He spoke with a stopped-up nose.
- We fixed the stopped-up drain.
Variants and Related Words
- Blocked (adj): A more general synonym.
- Clogged (adj): Often used for pipes or drains filled with obstructing material.
- Congested (adj): Specifically for bodily parts, like a nose or chest, being abnormally full.
- Stuffy (adj): Similar to "stopped up" for a nose, implying a sensation of fullness and lack of air.
- Obstructed (adj): A more formal term for being blocked.
Synonyms
- Blocked
- Clogged
- Congested
- Obstructed
- Plugged
Antonyms
- Clear
- Unblocked
- Open
- Flowing
Related Phrases
- Stopped up functions as a phrasal adjective. The related verb phrase is "to stop up," meaning to block or seal an opening.
- Example (verb): Debris stopped up the pipe.
Adjective
- (of a nose) blocked
- a stopped (or stopped-up) nose