curb
curb — noun
1. A rule, action, or measure that stops an unwanted activity from increasing or be
A rule, action, or measure that stops an unwanted activity from increasing or becoming too strong.
The government introduced a curb on the waste that factories might dump into rivers.
curb + on + noun phrase for limiting something
Adisa argued that a curb on fast-food advertising would help fight childhood obesity.
Without a curb on spending, the company will run out of money by year's end.
Many citizens demanded a curb on how much money political parties can spend on advertising.
- encouragement
a push or support for an activity rather than a restriction
文法句型
curb + on + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often appears in the phrase 'put a curb on something' or 'place a curb on something'. The object is typically an unwanted behavior, expense, or activity.
常見錯誤
2. The stone or concrete border along the side of a road that separates the roadway
The stone or concrete border along the side of a road that separates the roadway from the walkway.
Christopher parked his van right next to the curb and unloaded the boxes.
curb as edge of road where vehicles park
The toddler sat on the curb with her mother, watching raindrops hit the pavement.
Street sweepers drive along the curb to clear leaves and rubbish from the drains.
Hassan waited at the curb for the school bus to pick him up every morning.
用法筆記
In British English this word is spelled 'kerb' for the road-edge sense. The US spelling 'curb' is also used for the verb and for the 'limit' noun sense in all varieties of English. If you are writing for a UK audience, use 'kerb' when referring to the edge of the pavement.
常見錯誤
curb — verb
1. To stop an unwanted activity, habit, or feeling from increasing or becoming too
To stop an unwanted activity, habit, or feeling from increasing or becoming too strong.
The new speed bumps are meant to curb dangerous driving near the school.
curb + unwanted behaviour (dangerous driving)
Nora tried to curb her excitement at the news, but she kept smiling.
The central bank raised interest rates to curb rising inflation across the region.
Eitan works with a coach to curb his habit of interrupting people in meetings.
- encourage
to promote an activity rather than limit it
文法句型
curb + [unwanted noun phrase]
用法筆記
The verb is usually used with an object that is something undesirable — such as spending, violence, crime, inflation, emissions, or a personal habit. It is slightly more formal than 'control' and less forceful than 'stop'. Common in news and policy writing.