tether
/'teðə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A rope, chain, or similar restraint used to fasten an animal, allowing it to move only within a limited area. It is a physical object that restricts movement.
- The limit or extent of one's resources, endurance, or patience. This is a figurative extension of the physical meaning.
Verb:
- To fasten or confine an animal (or sometimes an object) with a rope, chain, or similar restraint. The action of using a tether.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- The goat was tied to a post with a short tether.
- After months of stress, she felt she was at the end of her tether.
Verb:
- Please tether the boat securely to the dock.
- Farmers often tether their animals in the field.
Advanced Usage
"to be at the end of one's tether" (idiom): to have no more patience, strength, or resources left; to be completely exhausted or out of options.
- After dealing with the crying baby all night, I was at the end of my tether.
"to tether something to something": to connect or bind one thing to another, often to limit movement or ensure stability.
- The company's success is tethered to the health of the global economy.
Variants and Related Words
Tethered (adj): fastened with a tether; connected or tied.
- The tethered balloon floated above the fairground.
Untethered (adj): not confined or restricted; free.
- The new wireless technology allows for untethered virtual reality.
Synonyms
- Noun (restraint): leash, lead, rope, chain, cord.
- Verb (to fasten): tie, secure, hitch, moor, leash.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions
(The word "tether" itself is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its usage is typically straightforward: "tether to.")
Related Idioms
- "at the end of one's tether": (as defined in Advanced Usage) This is the primary idiom associated with this word.
Noun
- restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal
Verb
- tie with a tether
- tether horses