tow truck
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A specialized vehicle used for moving disabled, improperly parked, impounded, or otherwise indisposed motor vehicles: A tow truck is a truck equipped with mechanisms to lift, secure, and transport other vehicles, typically cars.
Usage
- The primary function of a tow truck is to recover or relocate vehicles. It is commonly called by drivers, law enforcement, or property owners when a vehicle is broken down, illegally parked, or involved in an accident.
- It is a compound noun. The term "tow" refers to the act of pulling, and "truck" specifies the type of vehicle.
Examples
- Noun:
- I had a flat tire on the highway and had to call for a tow truck.
- The city uses tow trucks to remove cars parked in front of fire hydrants.
- After the collision, two tow trucks arrived to clear the wreckage from the road.
Advanced Usage
- "to be on the hook for a tow truck": To be responsible for paying the fee charged by a towing service.
- If you park here, you'll be on the hook for a tow truck and a hefty fine.
Variants and Related Words
- Wrecker (n): A synonym for tow truck, especially in American English.
- The wrecker arrived quickly to haul away the damaged car.
- Recovery vehicle (n): A more formal term, often used for larger trucks that recover heavy vehicles.
- Flatbed tow truck (n): A specific type of tow truck where the entire vehicle is lifted onto a flat platform for transport.
- Hook and chain tow truck (n): An older type of tow truck that uses a chain, now less common due to potential vehicle damage.
Synonyms
- Breakdown lorry: (Chiefly British English)
- Wrecker
Related Phrases
- To call a tow truck: To contact a towing service for assistance.
- My battery died, so I had to call a tow truck.
- To get towed: To have one's vehicle removed by a tow truck.
- My car got towed because I was in a tow-away zone.
Noun
- a truck equipped to hoist and pull wrecked cars (or to remove cars from no-parking zones)