stump
/stʌmp/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A remaining base: The part of something, especially a tree or limb, that is left after the main part has been removed or cut off.
- A platform for speaking: A raised platform used by a speaker, historically often a tree stump.
- A cricket wicket post: One of the three vertical wooden posts that form the wicket in the game of cricket.
- A short, thick remnant: Any short, thick piece or stub, such as of a pencil or a cigar.
Verb:
- To perplex or baffle: To cause someone to be unable to answer or solve something.
- To walk heavily: To walk with heavy, clumsy steps, making a thumping sound.
- To campaign politically: To travel through an area making political speeches.
- To remove stumps: To clear an area of tree stumps.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- After the storm, only the stump of the old oak tree remained.
- The politician stood on a stump to address the crowd.
- The ball hit the middle stump and the batsman was out.
Verb:
- The final question on the quiz completely stumped me.
- He stumped angrily up the stairs.
- The senator will stump across the state during the election.
Advanced Usage
"To be/stump up (the money)": (Informal, chiefly British) To pay a sum of money, often reluctantly.
- He finally stumped up the cash he owed.
"Stump speech": A standard speech repeatedly delivered by a politician during a campaign.
- The candidate gave his familiar stump speech in every town.
"On the stump": Engaged in political campaigning by making speeches.
- The candidate has been on the stump for months.
Variants and Related Words
Stumpy (adj): Short and thick; resembling a stump.
- He had stumpy fingers.
Stumper (n): (Informal) A difficult question or problem.
- That riddle is a real stumper.
Synonyms
- Noun (base): Stub, butt, remnant.
- Verb (perplex): Baffle, perplex, confound, puzzle.
- Verb (walk): Clump, stomp, tramp, trudge.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Stump up: (Informal) To pay money.
- You'll have to stump up for the repairs.
Related Idioms
"Up a stump": (Informal) In a difficult situation; unable to proceed or find an answer.
- I'm up a stump with this math problem.
"Stir your stumps!": (Old-fashioned, informal) An exhortation to hurry up or start moving.
- Come on, stir your stumps, we're going to be late!
Noun
- a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it
- (cricket) any of three upright wooden posts that form the wicket
- the part of a limb or tooth that remains after the rest is removed
- the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
Verb
- remove tree stumps from
- stump a field
- travel through a district and make political speeches
- the candidate stumped the Northeast
- walk heavily
- The men stomped through the snow in their heavy boots
- cause to be perplexed or confounded
- This problem stumped her