blot
/blɒt/ (bre, ipa) · /blɑːt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈblät/ (ame, mw)
blot — noun
1. a dark or dirty mark left on paper, cloth, or another surface, especially by ink
a dark or dirty mark left on paper, cloth, or another surface, especially by ink or another liquid.
A round ink blot spread across Hana's homework page.
ink blot on paper
Grease left a dark blot on the cafe menu.
One coffee blot covered the train ticket in Omar's pocket.
Near the corner, a red paint blot spoiled the white wall.
文法句型
a blot on + surface
用法筆記
Usually refers to a visible patch made by ink, paint, grease, coffee, or a similar substance. Often followed by 'on' plus the surface where the mark appears.
常見錯誤
2. something shameful that makes a person, group, or record seem worse in other peo
something shameful that makes a person, group, or record seem worse in other people's eyes.
The bribery case left a lasting blot on the mayor's name.
a blot on + someone's name
For many fans, the cheating scandal remains a blot on the sport.
That cruel joke became a blot on Leo's school record.
Years later, the false report is still a blot on the hospital.
- stain
the closest figurative match for damage to someone's good name
- smear
often used for public attacks on a person's reputation
- disgrace
stronger; focuses on the shame itself rather than the mark left by it
- black mark
informal; often used for a bad point on a record
文法句型
a blot on + name/record/reputation
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the pattern 'a blot on' followed by a name, record, reputation, or institution. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about a physical mark on a surface.
常見錯誤
blot — verb
1. to press paper, cloth, or another soft thing onto something wet so the liquid is
to press paper, cloth, or another soft thing onto something wet so the liquid is taken up.
Priya blotted the wet signature with a sheet of kitchen paper.
blot + wet writing + with paper
After washing the table, Yusuf blotted the wood with a towel.
The makeup artist blotted Mei's lips before adding a second coat.
At the clinic, the nurse blotted the blood with clean cotton.
文法句型
blot + noun
blot + noun + with + paper/cloth/tissue
用法筆記
Object is usually ink, blood, tears, lipstick, or another wet area. The tool used is often added with 'with', especially tissue, paper, cloth, or cotton.
常見錯誤
2. to leave a dark or dirty mark on something, making it look less clean or less at
to leave a dark or dirty mark on something, making it look less clean or less attractive.
A drop of jam blotted the front of Diego's white shirt.
blot + clothing/surface
Rain from the open window blotted the poster on the wall.
The child's muddy hand blotted the clean page in one swipe.
Black smoke blotted the ceiling above the old stove.
文法句型
blot + noun
blot + noun + with + dirt/ink/smoke
用法筆記
The subject is often the substance that causes the mark, such as ink, mud, smoke, rain, or food. Distinguish from sense 1, where the action removes liquid instead of leaving a mark.