whistling

Thân thiện

The referee is whistling to signal the end of the game.

Definition

Noun: 1. The act or sound of producing a clear, high-pitched tone by forcing breath through a small opening between one's lips or teeth, or by using a whistle. It refers to the action itself or the resulting sound, often used for signaling, attracting attention, or making music. 2. A similar high-pitched sound produced by something moving rapidly through the air or by steam/air escaping forcefully through a small opening. This describes a noise that resembles human whistling.

Usage and Examples

• As a signal or summons:
  • The lifeguard's sharp whistling got everyone's attention.
  • We knew the tea was ready when we heard the kettle's whistling.
• As a tuneful activity:
  • He walked down the street, his happy whistling echoing between the buildings.
  • Her constant whistling of that pop song is starting to drive me crazy.
• As a sound produced by fast movement or air:
  • The whistling of the wind through the cracks in the old window was eerie.
  • We heard the whistling of the arrow as it flew past our heads.

Advanced Usage

• "To be whistling in the dark": This idiom means to pretend to be cheerful or confident in a frightening or uncertain situation to hide one's fear.
  • He said everything would be fine, but I think he was just whistling in the dark.

Variants and Related Words

• Whistle (verb/noun): The action or the device that produces the sound.
  • He learned to whistle a complicated tune. (verb)
  • The referee blew his whistle. (noun)
• Whistler (noun): A person or thing that whistles.
  • She's an excellent whistler and can mimic bird calls.

Synonyms

• Shrill sound: Shriek, screech (for high-pitched, often unpleasant sounds like wind).
• Tuneful sound: Trilling, piping (for musical whistling).
• Signal: Blast, toot (specifically for a whistle instrument).

Related Phrases

• Whistling past the graveyard: Similar to "whistling in the dark," it means trying to stay cheerful in a dire situation to ward off fear.
  • Their optimistic talk about the economy is like whistling past the graveyard.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the act of signalling (e.g., summoning) by whistling or blowing a whistle
   • the whistle signalled the end of the game
2. the act of whistling a tune
   • his cheerful whistling indicated that he enjoyed his work
3. the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture

Từ đồng nghĩa

• whistle