taut

/tɔ:t/

Thân thiện

The rope is taut between the two wooden posts.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Stretched or pulled tight: Describes something, especially a rope, fabric, or surface, that is under tension and has no slack.
   • Strained or tense: Describes a person, atmosphere, or situation that is under mental or emotional strain, showing no relaxation.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Physically tight):
  • The sail was taut in the strong wind.
  • Keep the rope taut while I tie the knot.
• Adjective (Emotionally tense):
  • Her face was taut with anxiety.
  • The atmosphere in the room grew taut as they awaited the verdict.

Advanced Usage

• "Taut as a drum": An idiom meaning extremely tight or tense.
  • The canvas was stretched taut as a drum.
• "Taut narrative": Used in literary or artistic criticism to describe a story, plot, or style that is concise, tense, and without unnecessary elements.
  • The novel is praised for its taut prose and suspenseful plot.

Variants and Related Words

• Tauten (verb): To become or make something taut.
  • The muscles in his jaw tautened.
• Tautly (adverb): In a taut manner.
  • The wire was stretched tautly between the two posts.

Synonyms

• Tight: Closely fastened, fixed, or stretched.
• Tense: Stretched tight; unable to relax.
• Rigid: Stiff and unable to bend.

Antonyms

• Loose: Not firmly or tightly fixed in place.
• Slack: Not taut or held tightly in position; loose.
• Relaxed: Free from tension and anxiety.

Related Phrases

• Taut ship: (Nautical idiom) A ship that is well-organized and in good order, with everything secured properly.
  • The captain runs a taut ship.
• Hold a line taut: To keep a rope or cord tight.
  • You need to hold the fishing line taut to feel a bite.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. subjected to great tension; stretched tight
   • the skin of his face looked drawn and tight
   • her nerves were taut as the strings of a bow
2. pulled or drawn tight
   • taut sails
   • a tight drumhead
   • a tight rope

Từ đồng nghĩa

• tight