attaboy

IPA/ˈætəbɔɪ/
KK[ˈætəbˌɔɪ]IPA/ˈætəbɔɪ/

attaboy — exclamation

1. called out to show a boy or adult man that he is doing well, or to urge him to k

1.感嘆詞B2
釋義

called out to show a boy or adult man that he is doing well, or to urge him to keep going.

例句

"Attaboy, Reuben!" Coach Silva shouted after the clean header.

Attaboy, + name after a successful play

When Tomás fixed the loose chain, his father said, "Attaboy."

used after a small practical success

同義詞
  • good job

    broader everyday praise and not limited to boys or men

  • way to go

    similarly informal encouragement, often for any person

  • well done

    more general and slightly less colloquial

文法句型

Attaboy!

Attaboy, + name!

Attaboy, keep + -ing

用法筆記

Usually said directly to one boy or man after a small success or while he is still trying. For cheering an animal instead of a person, use sense 2.

常見錯誤

❌Attaboy, I finished first!
✅Hooray, I finished first!
💡attaboy is usually something another person says to praise you, not what you say about yourself.
❌Attaboy, everyone, keep running!
✅Come on, everyone, keep running!
💡attaboy is normally aimed at one male person, not a whole group.

2. said to a male animal when it has done well, or when you want it to keep moving

2.感嘆詞B2
釋義

said to a male animal when it has done well, or when you want it to keep moving or obey.

例句

"Attaboy, Ranger!" Salma said when the sheepdog found the missing glove.

Attaboy, + animal name after a task is done well

The trainer shouted "attaboy" as the stallion cleared the last fence.

praise during training or performance

同義詞
  • good boy

    the closest everyday phrase for praising a male pet or working animal

  • that's it

    can encourage an animal to continue, without the idea of maleness

  • steady

    used more for controlling an animal's movement than praising it

文法句型

Attaboy!

Attaboy, + animal name!

Attaboy as + animal + moves

用法筆記

Used mainly by owners, trainers, and riders speaking to a male dog, horse, or other animal during work or training. Unlike sense 1, the praise is directed to an animal rather than a person.

常見錯誤

❌Attaboy, Dad, dinner is ready!
✅Good job, Dad!
💡this sense is for male animals, not for people.
❌The driver yelled attaboy at the old truck.
✅The driver yelled come on at the old truck.
💡this sense is used to an animal, not to a machine.