bleep
bleep — noun
- bleepsingular
- bleepsplural
1. A quick, sharp noise that an electronic device emits, for example to let the use
A quick, sharp noise that an electronic device emits, for example to let the user know that a process is finished or that attention is needed.
The microwave lets out a loud bleep when your food is ready.
collocation: let out a bleep
Asher heard a steady bleep from the hospital monitor beside his father's bed.
The smoke alarm gave three short bleeps before falling silent.
Sven set the timer on his watch and waited for the final bleep.
用法筆記
Frequently used with verbs like 'let out', 'give', 'hear', and 'make'. The device making the sound is typically a computer, alarm, timer, or medical monitor.
2. A word used in writing or speech to stand in for a swear word, representing the
A word used in writing or speech to stand in for a swear word, representing the beep sound that television shows play to cover offensive language.
The newspaper printed the politician's angry quote with a 'bleep' in place of the curse word.
pattern: printed with a 'bleep' in place of
Fans watching the live show heard a bleep every time the guest used strong language.
In the subtitles, every offensive word was replaced with 'bleep' to meet broadcasting rules.
The comedian joked that his autobiography would contain more bleeps than real words.
- blank
used to mean a missing word, not specifically for swear words
用法筆記
Appears most often in print and subtitles to quote someone who swore without writing the actual swear word. When spoken aloud, the word is pronounced as 'bleep' rather than as a beep sound.
bleep — verb
- bleeppresent simple I / you / we / they
- bleeps3rd person singular
- bleeping-ing form
- bleepedpast simple
1. When an electronic device produces a short, high-pitched sound, usually to give
When an electronic device produces a short, high-pitched sound, usually to give a signal or warning.
The smoke detector bleeped loudly when Trang burned the toast in the kitchen.
collocation: bleeped loudly
Takeshi's phone bleeped to remind him about his dentist appointment at four o'clock.
pattern: bleeped to remind
The scanner at the airport bleeped as it detected Femi's metal belt buckle.
If the battery is low, the device will bleep every thirty seconds until it is replaced.
用法筆記
Often used with adverbial phrases of time ('every X seconds') or location. The subject is always a machine, device, or piece of equipment.
2. To use a pager to get in touch with a person, such as a doctor, by transmitting
To use a pager to get in touch with a person, such as a doctor, by transmitting a beep to the portable receiver they keep with them.
The hospital bleeped Dr. Ramón when a new emergency case arrived at the ward.
passive: was bleeped
In the nineteen-nineties, a plumber would carry a bleeper so customers could bleep him.
The nurse on duty was bleeped urgently and ran to the operating room immediately.
Dewi's bleeper went off during dinner, so she bleeped the hospital back to take the call.
用法筆記
This sense is now less common because mobile phones have replaced bleepers. It is primarily British English; in American English the equivalent is 'page'. Frequently used in the passive form ('was bleeped').
常見錯誤
3. To replace an offensive word in a television or radio broadcast with an electron
To replace an offensive word in a television or radio broadcast with an electronic beep so that the audience does not hear the original swear word.
The TV network bleeped the singer's angry words during the live award ceremony.
pattern: bleep someone's words
When Heather's interview was replayed, the producers bleeped her strong language.
collocation: bleep strong language
The radio station was forced to bleep the guest's comments or face a heavy fine.
Eleni's podcast episode had to be bleeped in three places before the company would release it.
用法筆記
Often used in the passive form ('was bleeped'). The object is typically the offensive words themselves or the person who spoke them. Common in discussions of live television, talk shows, and radio broadcasts.
常見錯誤
bleep — exclamation
1. A mild word used to express anger, surprise, or frustration, said instead of a s
A mild word used to express anger, surprise, or frustration, said instead of a stronger swear word to avoid being offensive.
Oh bleep! I left my passport on the kitchen table at home.
register: mild exclamation of frustration
Heather dropped her phone on the pavement and muttered 'Bleep!' under her breath.
'Bleep!' Ramón shouted as he hit his elbow hard against the door frame.
When Dahlia saw the restaurant bill, she whispered 'bleep' quietly so the waiter would not hear.
用法筆記
Used specifically as a polite replacement for stronger expletives. Often capitalised in comic strips or informal writing. It is acceptable in most social situations where a real swear word would be inappropriate.