bridle
/ˈbraɪdl/ (bre, ipa) · [brˈaɪdəl] /ˈbraɪdl/ (ame, ipa) · [brˈaɪdəl] /ˈbrī-dᵊl How to pronounce bridle (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˈbraɪ.dəl/ (bre, ipa) · [brˈaɪdəl] /ˈbraɪ.dəl/ (ame, ipa)
bridle — noun
- bridlesingular
- bridlesplural
1. straps fixed on a horse's head, used by the rider to steer and stop the animal
straps fixed on a horse's head, used by the rider to steer and stop the animal
Tunde checked the bridle before leading the horse onto the trail.
check the bridle before riding
The riding teacher showed Sumin how to fasten the bridle under the pony's chin.
fasten the bridle under the chin
A cracked bridle can hurt a horse and make it hard to steer.
Rain had soaked the leather bridle hanging by the stable door.
文法句型
check/fasten/remove a bridle
用法筆記
Usually refers to the whole set of straps on the horse's head, not just the bit or the reins.
常見錯誤
2. something that keeps power, behaviour, or strong feeling from growing too freely
something that keeps power, behaviour, or strong feeling from growing too freely
The spending cap served as a bridle on the mayor's costly stadium plan.
a bridle on + noun
Her sister's calm voice was a bridle on Mira's rising anger.
School rules act as a bridle on phone use during lessons.
The editor's careful questions put a bridle on wild rumors online.
- freedom
emphasizes the absence of limits or control
文法句型
a bridle on + noun
put a bridle on + noun
用法筆記
Most often appears in patterns like a bridle on something or put a bridle on something. It usually refers to limiting money, power, anger, or another force that might get out of control.
常見錯誤
bridle — verb
- bridlepresent simple I / you / we / they
- bridles3rd person singular
- bridling-ing form
- bridledpast simple
1. to fit a horse or similar animal with this headgear, or to keep a person, feelin
to fit a horse or similar animal with this headgear, or to keep a person, feeling, or process firmly under control
The groom bridled the mare and led her into the training ring.
bridle + animal
Before sunrise, Sophia bridled the pony beside the wooden fence.
New checks were added to bridle waste in the school budget.
The coach tried to bridle his temper before speaking to the team.
- unleash
for figurative use, means allow a force or feeling to act freely
文法句型
bridle + animal
bridle + feeling/power
用法筆記
The literal use takes an animal as object. In figurative use, the object is usually a feeling, impulse, cost, or power that needs to be kept under control.
常見錯誤
2. to react with sudden anger or offence, especially when your pride has been hurt
to react with sudden anger or offence, especially when your pride has been hurt
Ari bridled when the coach laughed at his accent during practice.
bridle when + clause
At the dinner table, Nora bridled when her aunt mocked her new haircut.
Marco bridled at the claim that he had copied the design.
When the clerk called her careless, Jisoo bridled and demanded an apology.
- bristle
suggests an immediate, outward show of annoyance
- take offense
plain modern wording for feeling insulted
- resent
focuses more on the offended feeling than the visible reaction
- shrug off
means ignore an insult instead of reacting to it
文法句型
bridle at + noun
bridle when + clause
用法筆記
Often followed by at or by a clause naming the insult or criticism. Distinguish from sense 1: here the subject is an offended person, not someone controlling an animal or a feeling.