boomerang
/ˈbuːməræŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbuːməræŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbü-mə-ˌraŋ/ (ame, mw) · /ˈbuː.mə.ræŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbuː.mə.ræŋ/ (ame, ipa)
boomerang — noun
- boomerangsingular
- boomerangsplural
1. A curved piece of wood, plastic, or other material that is designed to spin when
A curved piece of wood, plastic, or other material that is designed to spin when thrown so that it travels in a circle and returns to the person who threw it.
At the park, Wei threw the boomerang and watched it curve back toward him.
collocation: throw a boomerang
Hana's grandfather showed her how to carve a traditional boomerang from acacia wood.
The boomerang spun high above the crowd before landing softly in Diego's open hand.
Tourists gathered to watch an Aboriginal elder demonstrate the way a returning boomerang flies.
Omar bought a painted boomerang at the souvenir shop but never managed to make it return.
- throwing stick
general term for any stick-shaped throwing weapon; boomerangs are a specific type that return
- kylie
Australian Aboriginal term for a hunting stick, often non-returning; less common in learner contexts
用法筆記
Typically refers to the returning kind used for sport today, though non-returning hunting boomerangs also exist historically.
常見錯誤
2. A scheme, remark, or action that ends up harming the person who started it, inst
A scheme, remark, or action that ends up harming the person who started it, instead of producing the advantage they expected.
Keiko's attempt to spread a rumour about a coworker proved to be a boomerang when she lost everyone's trust.
pattern: [something] prove(s) to be a boomerang
The lawyer's aggressive questioning became a boomerang that made her own witness seem unreliable.
What started as Santi's trick on his brother turned into a boomerang when their parents grounded him.
The company's false advertising campaign was a boomerang that damaged its reputation for years.
Elena's harsh criticism of the new policy was a political boomerang when voters disagreed with her stance.
- backlash
focuses on the reaction from others, while boomerang emphasises the self-inflicted nature
- double-edged sword
idiomatic; something that has both good and bad effects, not necessarily self-inflicted
- own goal
British informal; an action that harms the person who took it, similar to boomerang but more common in sports metaphor
用法筆記
Usually appears with a possessive or descriptive adjective: "his plan was a boomerang," "a legal boomerang." Often used in news commentary about politics or business.
boomerang — verb
- boomerangpresent simple I / you / we / they
- boomerangs3rd person singular
- boomeranging-ing form
- boomerangedpast simple
1. If a plan, strategy, or action boomerangs, it causes harm to the person responsi
If a plan, strategy, or action boomerangs, it causes harm to the person responsible for it rather than the benefit they had intended.
The company's attempt to silence critics boomeranged when the story appeared on the front page of every newspaper.
pattern: [plan/action] boomerang(s) — subject is the plan itself
Ananya's plan to make her ex-boyfriend jealous boomeranged on her when he simply stopped returning her calls.
pattern: boomerang on [someone]
The general's strategy boomeranged when the enemy anticipated his move and surrounded his troops.
Dmitri's dishonest tax filing boomeranged against him when the audit revealed years of hidden income.
The mayor's attempt to cut school funding boomeranged when parents organised a campaign to vote her out.
文法句型
boomerang on [someone]
boomerang against [someone]
用法筆記
Always intransitive — there is no direct object. The person affected is introduced by 'on' or 'against'. Not used in passive voice.