waterworks
/'wɔ:təwə:ks/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun (plural, but often used with singular or plural verb agreement):
- A system of structures and equipment for treating and supplying water to a community: This refers to the entire infrastructure, including reservoirs, pumping stations, purification plants, and pipes, managed as a public utility.
- (Informal) Tearful crying, especially when perceived as excessive or manipulative: This figurative use likens the act of crying to the operation of a fountain or water system.
Usage and Examples
Referring to the water supply system:
- The city is investing millions to upgrade its aging waterworks.
- A fault at the local waterworks has caused a temporary disruption to the supply.
Referring to crying (informal):
- Whenever she doesn't get her way, she turns on the waterworks.
- He turned off the waterworks as soon as he got the candy.
Advanced Usage and Notes
- The term is plural in form ("works" implies an industrial plant or operation) but can be treated as singular when referring to the utility system as a single entity (e.g., "The waterworks is located north of town").
- The informal meaning ("crying") is almost always used with verbs like "turn on," "start," or "turn off," treating the tears as a system that can be activated or deactivated.
Variants and Related Words
- Waterwork (noun, rare): An individual structure or piece of apparatus in a water supply system, or an ornamental fountain.
- Water utility: A more formal synonym for the public service aspect of a waterworks.
Synonyms
- For the utility: water supply system, water utility, aqueduct system (in part).
- For crying (informal): tears, weeping, blubbering (informal), watery display (humorous).
Idioms and Phrases
- To turn on the waterworks: To start crying, often deliberately to gain sympathy or an advantage.
- She turned on the waterworks when the teacher asked for her homework.
- To turn off the waterworks: To stop crying.
- I told him a joke to try and turn off the waterworks.
Noun
- workplace where water is stored and purified and distributed for a community
- a public utility that provides water