bending
bending — verb
1. to make something stop being straight, or to move so that it forms a curve or an
to make something stop being straight, or to move so that it forms a curve or angle
Eli bent the soft wire into a heart for the school fair.
bend + object + into + shape
The young tree kept bending toward the kitchen window for more light.
intransitive: bend toward + source
Lisa bent the metal spoon slightly to free the stuck lid.
After the storm, the fence was bending under wet branches.
- straighten
to make something straight again after it has bent
文法句型
bend + object + into + shape
subject + bend + toward/under + noun
用法筆記
This sense can be transitive or intransitive. With a thing as subject, it often shows pressure or weight changing the shape; with a person as subject, it often takes 'into' to show the new form.
常見錯誤
2. to lower yourself or one of your limbs away from an upright position, often by l
to lower yourself or one of your limbs away from an upright position, often by leaning down or bending at the knees
Shanti bent over the sink and washed paint from her hands.
bend over + noun
Tomas bent his knees before lifting the heavy suitcase upstairs.
bend + body part
Zuri kept bending down to pick strawberries from the low plants.
The yoga teacher told the class to bend slowly at the waist.
- stand up
to return to an upright position
文法句型
bend over + noun
bend + body part
bend at + body part
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'over', 'down', or 'at the waist'. When a body part is the object, the sentence usually highlights preparation for lifting, reaching, or exercise.
常見錯誤
3. to stretch a rule in a small way so that it helps someone or makes a situation e
to stretch a rule in a small way so that it helps someone or makes a situation easier, without openly ignoring the rule
The coach bent the team rule and let Mei join late.
bend + rule
During the heat wave, the school bent its uniform rules for one week.
bend rules for a limited time
Pim refused to bend the parking rules for his neighbour.
The manager sometimes bends office policy when a family emergency happens.
- enforce
to apply a rule strictly rather than allowing flexibility
文法句型
bend + rule
bend + policy + for + reason
用法筆記
Object is usually a rule, law, or policy. This sense suggests limited flexibility, not complete disobedience, and often appears when someone is trying to be practical or kind.
常見錯誤
bending — noun
1. the action or process of making something curve, or of becoming curved
the action or process of making something curve, or of becoming curved
Repeated bending of the wire finally caused it to snap.
bending of + object
The machine measures the bending of the beam during the safety test.
Careful bending of the dough gave the pastries their half-moon shape.
Years of heavy lifting put constant bending on his lower back.
文法句型
bending of + object
bending during + activity
用法筆記
Usually uncountable when it names the general action or physical process. It often appears in technical, medical, and workplace contexts where repeated movement matters.
常見錯誤
2. a part of a road, river, pipe, or similar thing where the line turns instead of
a part of a road, river, pipe, or similar thing where the line turns instead of staying straight
A yellow warning sign stood near the sharp bending in the mountain road.
bending in + road
The boat disappeared behind a bending of the river at sunset.
bending of + river
Water leaked from the bending in the old copper pipe.
A fruit stall stood beside the gentle bending in the village road.
- straight
a section with no curve or turn
文法句型
a bending in + road/river/pipe
a bending of + river/road
用法筆記
Most often used for long objects or lines such as roads, rivers, pipes, and paths. It points to the place where direction changes, not to the movement that caused it.
3. the curved path that a football makes in the air after a player kicks it in a wa
the curved path that a football makes in the air after a player kicks it in a way that makes it swerve
The crowd cheered as the bending carried the free kick past the wall.
bending on a free kick
Coach Rina praised the bending on Haruto's corner kick after practice.
bending on + kick
A small change in her foot angle gave the shot more bending.
Slow-motion video showed the bending that fooled the goalkeeper.
文法句型
bending on + kick/shot
more/less bending
用法筆記
Used mainly in football talk about free kicks, corners, and curling shots. It describes the path of the ball, not the player's body movement.
常見錯誤
4. a dangerous illness that divers can get if they rise too quickly and gas bubbles
a dangerous illness that divers can get if they rise too quickly and gas bubbles form in the body
The instructor taught new divers how to avoid bending during deep dives.
avoid bending while diving
After the fast ascent, doctors checked Yusuf for signs of bending.
signs of + bending
The rescue boat carried oxygen in case any diver developed bending.
Strict safety stops greatly reduce the risk of bending underwater.
- decompression sickness
formal medical name for the condition
- the bends
much more common everyday name used by divers and non-specialists
文法句型
signs of + bending
risk of + bending
avoid + bending
用法筆記
This technical sense belongs to diving and medicine. In everyday English, people more often say 'the bends', so singular 'bending' sounds specialized or historical.