waste-paper basket
Definition
Noun: A small, open-topped container, typically placed in an office or home, designed to hold discarded paper and other small items of rubbish.
Usage
This noun refers to a specific type of receptacle for trash. It is used to describe the physical object itself. - Place used drafts and old notes in the waste-paper basket next to the desk. - She crumpled the letter and threw it into the waste-paper basket.
Advanced Usage
- Metaphorical Use for Disposal or Rejection: The term can be used metaphorically to describe the act of discarding ideas or plans.
- The entire proposal ended up in the waste-paper basket after the budget review.
Variants and Related Words
- Wastebasket (noun): A common synonym, often used interchangeably, especially in American English.
- He tossed the candy wrapper into the wastebasket.
- Trash can (noun): A more general term for a container for waste, which is often larger and may have a lid.
- Bin (noun): A general British English term for a container for rubbish.
Synonyms
- Wastebasket
- Trash can (general)
- Bin (general, UK)
- Receptacle (formal)
Related Idioms
- To be consigned to the waste-paper basket: To be rejected or discarded as worthless.
- Without proper data, his report was consigned to the waste-paper basket.
Noun
-
a container with an open top; for discarded paper and other rubbish
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