braced
braced — verb
- bracedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- braceds3rd person singular
- braceding-ing form
- bracededpast simple
1. to make an object firm and steady by placing it against something solid or by ad
to make an object firm and steady by placing it against something solid or by adding a supporting structure, so that it does not tip over, fall, or move out of position.
Mira braced the old bookshelf against the wall with a metal bracket so it would not tip over.
brace + object + against + noun (physical support)
The roof beams were braced with thick wooden planks before the storm arrived.
passive: brace + with + material
Ishaan braced his feet against the edge of the bathtub and pulled hard on the wrench.
Adina braced the ladder firmly against the tree trunk before climbing up to pick the apples.
The wooden gate was braced diagonally with a strip of iron to stop it from sagging.
- weaken
to make less strong or stable
文法句型
brace + object + against/with + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive (be braced) when describing how something is held in position. The object of the verb can be a person's own body part (feet, shoulders, back) as well as an inanimate thing.
常見錯誤
2. to get yourself ready mentally or physically to face something that will be hard
to get yourself ready mentally or physically to face something that will be hard, upsetting, painful, or shocking — such as bad news, a difficult meeting, a physical impact, or an unpleasant task.
Noor braced herself for the dentist's drill as she sat back in the chair.
brace + oneself + for + noun (mental preparation)
The whole department braced for bad news when the manager called a last-minute meeting.
brace + for + noun (group subject)
Tomás braced himself against the wind as he cycled up the steep coastal road.
Devika took a deep breath and braced herself to deliver the difficult announcement to the staff.
Parents across the city braced for school closures when the snowstorm warning was issued.
文法句型
brace + oneself + for + noun
brace + for + noun
brace + infinitive
用法筆記
Commonly used with a reflexive pronoun (brace yourself, brace yourselves). The imperative 'Brace yourself!' or 'Brace yourselves!' is a fixed expression used to warn someone that something shocking or difficult is coming.
常見錯誤
braced — noun
1. a piece of wood, metal, or other material that is fitted to a structure to hold
a piece of wood, metal, or other material that is fitted to a structure to hold it firmly in position, stop it from moving, or make it stronger.
The carpenter fitted a steel brace to each corner of the wooden frame.
a + (material) + brace — specifying the material
A diagonal brace runs across the back of the tall cabinet to stop it from wobbling.
Nikhil added metal braces under the floorboards to strengthen the old wooden surface.
The shelf collapsed because the brace was not strong enough to hold the weight of the books.
Rafael checked every brace on the scaffolding before the painters climbed up.
文法句型
a brace
braces (plural)
用法筆記
In construction and DIY contexts, braces are typically made of wood or metal. A 'cross brace' or 'diagonal brace' runs at an angle across a frame to prevent it from collapsing sideways.
2. a device worn on teeth to straighten them over time, or on another part of the b
a device worn on teeth to straighten them over time, or on another part of the body (such as a leg, neck, or back) to support it after an injury or to correct its position.
Chidi wore braces on his teeth for nearly two years to correct the gap between his front teeth.
wear braces on + body part
The doctor fitted a leg brace to support Trang's weak ankle after the surgery.
a brace — singular for a single body part
Caleb's braces made brushing his teeth much more time-consuming every morning.
After the car accident, Takeshi needed a neck brace for eight weeks to protect his spine.
The children at the clinic smiled and showed off the colourful bands on their braces.
- orthodontic appliance
formal clinical term for dental braces
- retainer
a different device worn after braces to keep teeth in place
- support
general term for a medical support device
文法句型
braces (for teeth)
a brace (for leg/neck/back)
用法筆記
For teeth, the plural form 'braces' is always used even when referring to one person's device. For other body parts (leg, neck, back), the singular 'a brace' is used for one device. 'Dental braces' is a more formal term for the teeth-straightening device.
常見錯誤
3. two strips of stretchy material that go over the shoulders and fasten to the fro
two strips of stretchy material that go over the shoulders and fasten to the front and back of the trousers so that the trousers stay at the waist, instead of or in addition to a belt.
James wore a smart grey suit with a pair of blue braces instead of a belt.
a pair of braces — standard noun phrase
The old tailor recommended wide leather braces to match the formal waistcoat.
Ziad bought silk braces as a birthday gift for his brother who loved vintage clothing.
In the photograph, Maeve's grandfather stood proudly in striped trousers and red braces.
Mira prefers braces to a belt because they keep her work trousers in place all day.
- suspenders
American English equivalent
- trouser braces
more formal, less common
文法句型
a pair of braces
braces (plural)
用法筆記
This is the British English term. In American English, the same item is called 'suspenders'. In British English, 'suspenders' means something different (garter straps). The word is always used in the plural: 'a pair of braces', 'his braces', 'these braces'.
常見錯誤
❌ 'He wore suspenders to hold up his trousers.' (British context) — In British English, 'suspenders' means garters; use 'braces' for trouser straps.
4. a matched set consisting of two items in the same category — most commonly appli
a matched set consisting of two items in the same category — most commonly applied to game birds killed while hunting, though also found in formal or literary writing when referring to any paired objects.
The hunter returned to the lodge carrying a brace of pheasants for the evening meal.
a brace of + hunted bird
In the old hunting print, a brace of ducks hung from the gamekeeper's belt.
The farmer's wife roasted a brace of partridges with herbs for the harvest dinner.
A brace of wood pigeons sat side by side on the garden fence at dawn.
文法句型
a brace of + plural noun
用法筆記
This is an old-fashioned or specialist usage. Outside of hunting and formal writing, it is rarely used in everyday conversation. The modern English words 'pair' or 'couple' are far more common for general use.