doorstep
/ˈdɔːstep/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdɔːrstep/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdȯr-ˌstep/ (ame, mw) · /ˈdɔː.step/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdɔːr.step/ (ame, ipa)
doorstep — noun
- doorstepsingular
- doorstepsplural
1. one of the steps at the main entrance to a house, where visitors stand while wai
one of the steps at the main entrance to a house, where visitors stand while waiting for someone to answer the door
Yuna wiped her boots on the mat before stepping onto the doorstep.
collocation: step onto the doorstep
A cardboard box sat on the doorstep when Mateo opened the front door.
collocation: on the doorstep (location)
Anong left the parcel on the doorstep and rang the bell.
Mert placed a pot of yellow flowers on the doorstep next to the mat.
Nora sat on the doorstep and watched the sunset over the hills.
文法句型
doorstep + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often appears in the phrase 'on the doorstep', which can literally mean on the step itself, or idiomatically mean very close to where someone lives.
常見錯誤
2. a thick slice of bread, often cut from a large loaf and used for making substant
a thick slice of bread, often cut from a large loaf and used for making substantial sandwiches or toast
Ishaan cut two thick doorsteps from the loaf for his lunch sandwich.
countable noun: cut two doorsteps from the loaf
The café near the station serves doorstep sandwiches with plenty of filling.
compound: doorstep sandwiches
Eitan toasted a doorstep of wholemeal bread and topped it with eggs.
Élise spread butter on a doorstep of fresh rye bread for a quick breakfast.
- thick slice
neutral term without the informal British flavour
- hunk
less precise, often suggests a rough or uneven piece
文法句型
doorstep + of + bread/loaf
doorstep + sandwich
用法筆記
British English only, informal register. Typically used for bread cut from a bakery loaf rather than pre-sliced bread. Often appears as part of the compound 'doorstep sandwich'.
常見錯誤
doorstep — verb
- doorsteppresent simple I / you / we / they
- doorsteps3rd person singular
- doorstepping-ing form
- doorsteppedpast simple
1. to go to someone's home and try to force them to speak to you, especially used o
to go to someone's home and try to force them to speak to you, especially used of reporters who refuse to leave until they get a comment
Reporters doorstepped the minister outside his house early in the morning.
active: doorstep + direct object
The politician was doorstepped by journalists after the scandal broke.
passive: be doorstepped by + agent
Christopher hates being doorstepped when he leaves for work in the morning.
Brian managed to avoid the photographers who tried to doorstep him at home.
文法句型
doorstep + someone
be doorstepped by + someone
用法筆記
Used mainly in British journalism contexts. Subject is typically a well-known person such as a politician, celebrity, or public figure. The passive form is very common.
常見錯誤
2. to call on all the homes in a street or district, usually to sell goods, raise m
to call on all the homes in a street or district, usually to sell goods, raise money, or seek votes for a candidate
A group of volunteers doorstepped the whole neighbourhood asking for charity donations.
doorstep + area (neighbourhood) for fundraising
Eshe spent Saturday doorstepping houses to promote her new cleaning business.
The team doorstepped every flat in the area asking people to sign the petition.
Piotr earned extra money by doorstepping neighbours with homemade cookies for sale.
- canvass
focused on seeking opinions or votes, not selling products
- go door-to-door
the neutral, non-compound version of the same activity
文法句型
doorstep + area/neighbourhood
go doorstepping
用法筆記
Used mainly in British English. Describes a campaigning or sales activity involving systematic visits to multiple homes, in contrast with verb sense 1, which targets a single person. Often appears in the continuous form 'doorstepping'.