swung

The child swung gently on the playground swing.

Definition

1. Verb (past tense and past participle of ):
   • To move back and forth or from side to side while suspended or supported: "swung" describes the action of something moving rhythmically through the air.
   • To move in a smooth, sweeping motion: Used for actions like turning, pivoting, or making a curved path.
   • To change direction or opinion suddenly: A figurative use meaning to shift one's stance or allegiance.

Usage Examples

• Physical movement:

  • The pendulum swung from left to right. (The hanging object moved rhythmically.)
  • He swung the bat and hit the ball. (He moved the bat in a sweeping arc.)

• Change of direction:

  • The car swung sharply around the corner. (The vehicle turned abruptly.)
  • The door swung open with a creak. (The door moved on its hinges.)

• Figurative change:

  • Public opinion swung in favour of the new policy. (People's views shifted suddenly.)
  • She swung from happiness to despair. (Her emotions changed dramatically.)

Advanced Usage

• "swung into action": to begin acting energetically or decisively.

  • The rescue team swung into action immediately. (They started working with urgency.)

• "swung for the fences": to attempt something ambitious or risky (from baseball).

  • In his speech, he swung for the fences and proposed a radical reform. (He made a bold attempt.)

• "swung the balance": to change the outcome of a situation.

  • His vote swung the balance in favour of the proposal. (His decision determined the result.)

Variants and Related Words

• Swing (verb, present tense): the base form of the word.

  • I swing the rope every day. (Present action.)

• Swinging (adjective): moving back and forth; lively or fashionable.

  • The swinging chandelier cast dancing shadows. (The chandelier moved rhythmically.)

• Swinger (noun): a person who swings; also slang for someone who is socially active or unconventional.

  • The swinger on the playground laughed loudly. (The child playing on the swing.)

Synonyms

• Moved: changed position.
• Rocked: moved gently back and forth.
• Pivoted: turned around a central point.
• Shifted: changed direction or position.

Phrasal Verbs

• Swung at: to attempt to hit something with a swinging motion.

  • He swung at the piñata but missed. (He tried to hit it with a swinging motion.)

• Swung around/round: to turn quickly to face the opposite direction.

  • She swung around when she heard her name. (She turned suddenly.)

Related Idioms

• Swung for the rafters: to aim for the highest possible goal.

  • The entrepreneur swung for the rafters with her new business plan. (She set an ambitious goal.)

• Swung the lead: to avoid work or responsibility by pretending to be ill (British slang).

  • He swung the lead and stayed home from work. (He feigned sickness.)

• Swung on a hinge: to be dependent on a single factor.

  • The whole plan swung on a hinge of luck. (It depended entirely on luck.)